Differences Between Management and Leadership

Differences Between Management and Leadership

Management and leadership are often used in the same context, yet they do not mean the

same thing. Managers think incrementally, while leaders think radically. The difference

in the perspectives is that leaders tend to lead with emotion and concern for their

subordinates. Managers tend to follow guidelines and company policies. Managers also

use management functions to achieve their desired goals.

Loyalty is important amongst leaders. Team members tend to be more loyal to their

leaders than their managers. This is due in part to leaders accepting the blame for when

things go wrong, celebrating team/group achievements and giving credit when it is due.

Managers do not interact with their subordinates as much as leaders do. A manager is

someone who must be obeyed and a leader is someone who people choose to follow. The

fact that teams can operate without a leader defines leaders as an asset and not essential

to team success. Managers and leaders may often clash due to difference of opinions and

views. Although a team is knowledgeable on who the manager is, a subordinate may

often appear to be an informal leader. At this point a manager may feel that his or her

authority may be in question. Managers must be able to accept ideas and views from

their subordinates. Although, they (managers) may have the formal education for their

position, it is experience and common knowledge that sets leaders apart from managers.

Management usually consists of people who are experienced in their field, and who have

worked their way up the company. A manager knows how each layer of the system works

and may also possess a good technical knowledge. A leader can be a new arrival to a

company who has bold, fresh, new ideas but might not have experience or wisdom

The role of a leader is to ensure that the desired tasks and guidelines are implemented

throughout the team. Managers can not be everywhere at once, which is why leaders are

often put into place to echo management’s requirements. Leaders are the link between

the team and management. Therefore leaders should show more compassion and

understanding of the team. Since they interact with the team more frequently, they can

speak on the team’s behalf for the positive and negative. L...

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... be able to do. I feel comfortable as a leader, and strong within my

convictions.

In conclusion, managing and leading are two different ways to organize people.

Although many leaders have a charismatic style to some extent, this does not require a

loud personality. They are always good with people, and quiet styles that give credit to

others (and takes blame on themselves) are very effective at creating the loyalty that great leaders engender.

Although leaders are good with people, this does not mean they are friendly with them. In

order to keep the mystique of leadership, they often retain a degree of separation and

aloofness. This does not mean that leaders do not pay attention to tasks - in fact they are

often very achievement-focused. What they do realize, however, is the importance of

enthusing others to work towards their vision.

References

Pascale, Richard (1990), ‘ Managing on the Edge’, Penguin Book, pp 65.

Fenton, John ( 1990), ‘ 101 Ways to Boost Your Business Performance’, Mandarin Business, pp 113, 1990

http://changingminds.org/disciplines/leadership/articles/manager_leader.htm

Retrieved 28 August 2005