Organizations often use the terms “managers” and “leaders” interchangeably, but the roles are fundamentally different. Both are essential at all organizational levels, but the emphasis on leadership versus management shifts with seniority. Junior managers may spend 80% of their time on management tasks and 20% on leadership behaviors, while senior managers often reverse this ratio, focusing on what can be described as “strategic leadership.”

Transitioning from a manager to a strategic leader requires a committed shift in three interconnected domains: Self-Mastery, Empowerment, and Leading Change.