Management versus Leadership

Abstract

This paper will discuss the differentiation between management and leadership. It will examine the roles and responsibilities of leaders and managers in creating and maintaining a healthy organizational culture.

Management and Leadership

Take a second to think of some influential managers or leaders. One may think of people like George Washington, Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln, Mother Theresa, and Robert E. Lee or maybe the names of superiors, family members, ministers, or teachers come to mind. Usually, when people think of managers or leaders, they tend to think of today’s current heroes and past historical figures who demonstrated excellence, and we do not include ourselves. Leaders may not control large armies or nations, but they do lead organizations, projects, and crews. The real question is how can one differentiate between management and leadership? What can help both managers and leaders to maintain a healthy organizational culture?

Managers are faced with many tasks each day, one of which is leading people. The terms manager and leader are often used in the same context, but they are not synonymous. Understanding the difference between the two terms is important. The goal of a successful manager is to achieve the maximum output of the organization by way of administrative implementation.

Management is the creative and systematic pursuit of practical results, (including the results of more knowledge), by identifying and using available human and knowledge resources in a concerted and reinforcing way.

Successful leaders rarely focus on failure; they always keep their sights on making the vision a success. This often makes them seem distant and perhaps not a team player. For this reason, it is important for leaders to maintain a fine balance of the present and the future. It is imperative that leaders are able to plan for the future while paying attention to the business at hand.

Effective leaders should know and understand the rules of the organization. By knowing the rules, the leader will be able to make implementation of the vision possible while staying within the focus of the organization. Having this knowledge will also help the leader gain the respect and trust of his subordinates, which is critical in being a successful leader. Trust is also a key in making an organization function properly.

A leader builds trust by following through on his promises. A great leader listens, speaks less, and sparingly makes promises. Most successful leaders remember each promise and categorize them by a matter of importance; they are then acted upon deliberately without interrupting the focus of the organization.