If you want to gain more time for your leadership role, begin with delegation. Your people deserve your trust because they really can perform most of your everyday tasks themselves. You will then be able to come up with new and interesting challenges and encourage creativity in your team.
Another important step on the journey from manager to leader involves open communication. Your people should be allowed to not only ask questions, but also evaluate you and express their views on how you can become a better leader. Obviously, the same applies vice versa.
A leader must explain the long-term goals his people face so that everyone knows what is expected of him of her. Open communication is necessary when making important decisions. Your people should not question either the motivation for your decisions or the purpose of what you are doing.
-Kk-