Many business people are taught how to manage a company though years of classes and seminars. But do they ever really learn how to lead?  

Whether it’s a large corporation or a small business, learning to be a leader and one who others will follow is the key to success.

Leaders and managers differ in their decision making approaches, visions and values. Those who understand these differences and why they are important will build stronger teams in the long run.

Read more about the important differences between managing and leading.

Decision Making

Decision making, or deciding between two or more alternatives, may seem like a simple process. It is something that is done every day, many times without even realizing it. However, large decisions should be made with careful consideration.

When it comes to decision making, managers are typically transactional-based, with the sole focus of receiving money in exchange for goods and services.

Leaders, on the other hand, facilitate discussion before making a decision. The process is inclusive and considers all of the affected parties. Leaders are open to new ideas and creative solutions, as opposed to doing things the way they have always been done.

Values

To be a leader, it is first important to define the values of your company because they determine how decisions are made. With the transactional-based mindset, many managers solely value results. While measurable results are important, they are not the only sign of success.

Leaders value not only financial gains, but also their employees individual achievements. Growing from personal learning experiences and building strong relationships with clients and peers are marks of success that can’t always be determined by numbers and figures.

Vision

But the single most important difference between a manager and a leader is their vision.

Leaders always consider the future. Instead of focusing only on short-term goals that can be accomplished in a month or a quarter, leaders consider the future of the company, the employees, and the client. They pay close attention to new technologies and upcoming market or industry changes in order to create the most innovative long-term solutions.

Instead of simply playing the role of a manager, leaders are passionate about driving the best results from their employees and igniting enthusiasm in their clients. By doing so, they will always achieve great success.

To learn more about thinking ahead and creating innovative solutions, download our 2016 Garden Trends Report.