Leaders and Managers

Leaders and managers- the words are often used interchangeably, but they are different.  The two are related, but their central functions are different. One way to illustrate this difference is by looking at what leaders and managers do.   Effective managers tend to reach goals and conduct business well -- it has been said that managers "do things right."  Leaders, on the other hand, are not as concerned with what they do, as they are with how it is done -- it has been said that leaders "do the right things."   

Another way to show the difference between managers and leaders look at their primary area of focus.  Managers are concerned primarily with managing things.  Leaders, on the other hand, are show concern for leading people.  Managers provide leadership, and leaders perform management functions. But managers don't perform the unique functions of leaders. Those in management positions do not always possess the qualities and skills of a leader. 

On the other hand, leadership is just one of the many skills that a manager must possess.  Yet, the lack of leadership in an organization can have many negative effects on the organization’s employees and the business as a whole.  Traditional management teachings have taught us that being a manager automatically made you a leader; that being a leader came with a position of authority. When a manager does not possess leadership skills and results in the lack of leadership in an organizational environment, there can be many negative effects on the employees and the organization as a whole.  Lack of leadership impacts the morale, productivity, motivation, loyalty, and employee turnover in an organization.

The changing business environment and further research into leadership is showing us that we need to change our view of what makes a leader and that today’s managers need to implement leadership skills into their company in order to survive. 

Here are some key differences:

• A manager takes care of where you are; a leader takes you to a new place.
• A manager deals with complexity; a leader deals with uncertainty.
• A manager is concerned with finding the facts; a leader makes decisions.
• A manager is concerned with doing things right; a leader is concerned with doing the right things.
• A manager's critical concern is efficiency; a leader focuses on effectiveness.
• A manager creates policies; a leader establishes principles.
• A manager sees and hears what is going on; a leader hears when there is no sound and sees when there is no light.
• A manager finds answers and solutions; a leader formulates the questions and identifies the problems.
• A manager looks for similarities between current and previous problems; a leader looks for differences.
• A manager thinks that a successful solution to a management problem can be used again; a leader wonders whether the problem in a new environment might require a different solution.

Management's concern with efficiency means doing things right to conserve resources. Leadership is focused on effectiveness - doing the right thing. For example, the military must manage its resources well to maximize efficiency. But in waging war, the military's critical responsibility is to be effective and win the war regardless of the resources required.

Getting a bargain does not reflect effective leadership if it means losing the war. A leader must possess all of the personality traits of a successful manager. Good management is important, but good leadership is essential.

 

References

Clemmer, J. Managing things and leading people. www.clemmer-group.com.
Farr, J. Leadership vs. management: do you know the difference? www.leadership-trust.org.
Leadership and management. www.powershr.com