Leaders vs Managers

This one’s a real eye-opener. We sat down with Carl Akintola-Davies, Head of Leadership Development at Phoenix Group, to talk about something that gets thrown around a lot... but rarely unpacked properly:

What’s the actual difference between a leader and a manager?

Here’s a line from Carl that really stopped us in our tracks:
“Managers are appointed by those above them. Leaders are chosen by those around them.”

Let that sink in.

In this episode, we’re getting honest about:

• Why we tend to romanticise leaders and demonise managers
• The real science behind what makes someone worth following
• How leadership isn’t about being ‘the chosen one’—it’s about belonging, trust, and identity

Carl shares a refreshingly grounded (and research-backed!) view on how leadership actually works—and why developing good leaders has less to do with job titles and more to do with how people feel around you.

Whether you’re new to leading a team, supporting managers through L&D, or just curious about how influence really works in a modern workplace—this one’s full of gold.

And as always, your hosts Paul Hewett and Oz Hussein bring the warmth, the wit, and the occasional curveball question.

🎧 Give it a listen—it’s one of those episodes that sticks with you.

MDA Insights—powered by the team at MDA Training, helping people grow through real-world learning.

Hosted by the talented team at MDA Training, this podcast is dedicated to helping professionals enhance their skills and reach their full potential. From early career trends to game-based learning and everything in between, MDA Insights has got you covered. – hit play now!