Many people tend to use the terms management and leadership as if they’re interchangeable.  Seth Godin, in his latest book, Tribes, points out a very important distinction between the two terms.  Leaders have fans–excited followers–because leaders show a generous concern for the welfare of the people who follow them.  Managers, on the other hand have employees–unexcited non-followers–because their managers don’t care all that much about them.  This is why, during unstable times like the present, growth and success come from leaders.  Their fans come to work already excited about applying every bit of energy, creativity, and passion they have toward making new and exciting things happen.  Managers, on the other hand, don’t fare well during difficult times because their employees don’t find being constantly pushed to do more with less all that exciting.  The lesson here is that if you want to be successful, especially during difficult times, you have to become a leader.  The good news is that to be a leader, all you have to do is start caring about the people around you and the rest will take care of itself.