Are You A Better Manager or Owner?

Some people work all their lives to be an owner, then they get to the top of the mountain … and they

hate it. They remember how much they loved their old job, when they were a trusted manager, a right

arm, the One That Got Things Done.

Those were the days. No sleepless nights wondering about payroll. No arguments with vendors and

hiring worries. You came in, kept the ship pointed in the right direction and made sure everything ran

smoothly. It was wonderful. Now you are up nights worried about finding someone you can trust to do

for you what you use to do for someone else.

Does that sound like you? Well, you might be a great candidate for management. And that’s awesome.

Not everyone should be the Big Boss. Not everyone wants to. And for those out there who want that

awesome combination of job security and work autonomy that is senior management, here are some

factors you should consider.

1 – Security is as important to you as authority

Look, if you care as much about having a job tomorrow as you do about leading at that job, then you

probably should strive for management, not ownership. Here’s the thing, nearly every owner has one

thing in common – they have failed before in business. They have lived through the days of driving a

BMW and eating Ramen noodles. And they have clawed their way back to the top. Or not. If you’re the

sort who loves both BMWs and a nice steak, management may be your ideal.

2 – Comfort is more palatable than risk

There’s something to be said for clocking out and going home at night. A lot to be said for it, actually. As

a manager, you will probably take your work home from time to time. As an owner, you will never leave

your work. Not ever. On the beach in Maui, work will be there. In your mind, filling your thoughts. And

with those thoughts will come worry. Because ownership is about risk. Growth is the result of chances

taken and victories won. If you would rather support a risk taker and share in the spoils, then be the

best manager you can be … because those people NEED a good manager.

3 – You are not a salesperson

If nothing else, starting and running your own business requires you to be an excellent salesperson, or,

at least, to learn to be one. If you would rather encourage and coach a team than try to convince people

you have what they are looking for, then management is your cup of tea. Trying to make a coach a

salesperson is a waste of a good builder, and trying to shoehorn a Type-A sales hawk into mentoring

employees is a waste of a good producer.

Bottom line, know who you are and what you love … then go after it with all you have.

Ariel Lederman is a medical student at University of Southern California who hails from NYC.