Are You a Manager or a Leader? | Candace Pendleton

Most people think of leaders and managers interchangeably. But these terms are actually quite different. They both have distinct roles and responsibilities.

A manager is focused on controlling the elements of a project to achieve a specific goal. They are also responsible for overseeing the execution of the project and managing the various people involved. They are usually more linear thinkers and are passionate about keeping the organization running smoothly.

A leader is focused on inspiring and motivating others to contribute to the organization's success. This involves establishing a vision and developing effective communication strategies. They are not linear in their thinking and are often drawn to ideas and concepts that are unrelated to the organization. They also make connections between different people and ideas.

Most people fall into one of these categories. Although it's possible to have both a leader and a manager, what makes an excellent manager is not enough to help people who aspire to be that type of leader. They need to develop a new skill set and shift their mindset. 

Let go of the reins

There's a reason why people refer to micromanagers as such. Although not every manager is a micromanager, many of them feel that they have to control everything in order to accomplish their goals. This can be very demotivating and demoralizing. When a manager tries to keep their team under their thumb, they are more likely to be more focused on their own goals and projects and less productive

Leaders are able to give up their control to empower and inspire others voluntarily. If you hire the best and most talented individuals, you need to let them do their jobs. A leader would tell her team that she is always available, but she would also build their trust and confidence by saying that they can handle whatever comes up.

Most leaders would gladly give up a degree of control when they have intellectual humility. They don't need to be right all the time, and they are more likely to relish the opportunity to be wrong.

Put people before your processes

While it's important to reach your goals, it's also not at the expense of your team. If you value transactions over relationships, then you're not going to be able to lead effectively.

Instead of focusing on themselves, leaders are more likely to focus on the people around them. They understand that business is about people, and they are committed to being able to make the most of their interactions with others.

They listen more than they talk, and they are more likely to ask probing questions in order to facilitate the exchange of ideas. They also know that being active and silent are different. They use the pause to think about the issue and come up with a thoughtful response.

Being able to communicate effectively is also important to the success of your team. You must regularly share what matters most to them so that they can easily understand what you're thinking.

Being able to inspire and motivate others is also important to your team's success. Leaders can help people feel heard and seen. They can help them align themselves with a shared vision.

Being able to "walk the talk" is also important to your team's success. Leaders who do the hard work to earn their credibility are more likely to attract people looking for advice and guidance.

-

-

About Candace Pendleton

Candace Pendleton lives in Westlake Village, California. She has over twenty years of day trading expertise in the futures market. Thousands of her students have learned how to trade successfully, attaining financial independence using her techniques and mentoring. While she is incredibly successful in this field, Candace never imagined a career in futures day trading.

Years ago, when she was suddenly widowed with two children under three, Candace had to devise ways to make ends meet through hard work and determination. Once she began searching for employment, she was hired as a Marketing Director. She was surprised and happy to learn that she had an innate talent for day trading futures. The only remaining ingredient to success was a need for professional guidance and training. Candace began researching courses and dove in, full of faith in the system and optimistic about her future. However, many classes she signed up for did more harm than good. They didn’t live up to the hype and cost a fortune.

As she grew into her position, she shared her desire to help other women in the trading industry. Her firm paid for her to learn how to trade options. Eventually, Candace Pendleton became the Women’s Trading Coach for the company and stayed in that role for 14 years.

Candace left her position to branch out on her own. She decided to take on the role of educator to help people like her, those who were new to the world of futures day trading. Through several costly teachable moments and trial-and-error, Candace developed a system that worked. After putting in 20-hour workdays to introduce an audio-visual plan that was 80% effective, Candace has helped countless people achieve their dreams without the hefty price tag of her competitors.

It’s no surprise that Candace ended up in a teaching role. To Candace, education is among the most rewarding and challenging professions out there. With an interest in teaching since high school, Candace graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Education and Teaching. In addition to her goal of helping others, Candace Pendleton’s dream is to be one of the premier female thought leaders in her field. Her role models include Kathy Lien, who began a career on Wall Street at the age of 18, and Nelisiwe Masango, a neurosurgeon who discovered her love in finance and investing and went on to become one of South Africa’s most successful foreign exchange market (Forex) traders.