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Introduction
Leadership vs management is the talk of the time. Many are still confused about the basic differences between the two. The concepts of leadership and management are quite different, despite the fact the two complement each other. Basically speaking, professionals who plan, organize and coordinate staff are the key to success. A business, firm, or organization depends on the two leadership & management. And, hence, it is the right time you learn the differences between managers and leaders.
What is Leadership?
The art of creating favorable and volatile change after careful planning, vision, and strategy is leadership. A business opts for professionals known as leaders whore responsible to empower the workforce and adaptive decision-making. Businesses and firms require human resources for better social influence. In this way, leaders labor towards the accomplishment of a companys vision.
Leadership is not bound to personality distinction and thus it overlooks titles, management, or businesss personal agendas. You can even understand leadership as a social promotion or influence that tends to enhance the chances of fulfilling a common goal.
What is Management?
Management is defined as pre-planned tasks accomplished quickly on behalf of the regular basis and subordinates. A manager is someone who shoulders the responsibilities of a business/firm. He/she plans, functions, organizes, leads, and controls tasks. The primary aim of a manager is to meet organizational goals.
A manager can replace a leader. How? If he/she has leadership authority, communication skills, inspiring character, proper guidance, and uplifting tactics. All these characteristics help businesses surge to a higher level of productivity.
What are the differences between Managers and Leaders?
1. Responsibility
Leader and manager are two roles that complement each other. A leader is one who questions what and why. Whereas, a manager is one who questions how and when.
On one hand, a leader is eligible to examine and challenge the authority for achieving a goal. So, a leader can always reverse decisions for the betterment of the business team. Leaders need to analyze the failure within a firm. He/she questions - Why did this happen?
On the other hand, managers dont need to assess and analyze failures. The basic responsibility of a manager is to ask - How and When. So, they just assist leaders in letting the plans be executed correctly. Managers accept rather than give an attempt to change decisions.
2. Vision
Leaders are visionaries whereas managers are organizers. A leader proposes the pathways to enhance organizational growth. Examining the current position, goals to reach, and tactics for the same are what a leaders team does.
Comparatively, managers set forth on a journey to accomplish organizational goals. They focus on a visionprocedure implementation. Managers need to plan a budget, manage organizational structure, and handle staff.
3. Position vs. Quality
A leader requires skills to lead a group of people and inspire the team towards a direction. Whereas, a manager must possess the quality of managing a specific job within an organization's structure.
You are a leader provided you behave in a way thats inspiring for the team. Leadership depends solely on your actions. Whereas, you are a manager if you acquire fixed sets of responsibilities & qualities technical, conceptual, diagnostic.
4. Orientation vs Organizing
A leader is someone who is bothered with how to orient and influence people. A manager is someone who is bothered with how to organize/assign work to them.
Leaders achieve their aligning goals by assisting individuals who can visualize a firms function in-depth. In comparison, managers achieve their goals via collaborating tactical activities and artful processes.
Our learners also read- Top 20 Leadership Interview Questions and Answers You Should Know
Leadership vs Management
The table below highlights leadership vs management -
Important Traits to be a Leader and Manager
To be a leader and manager, you need to possess certain qualities. Below, we have highlighted the traits necessary for the two. Remember, their traits are also quite different
For Leader :
1. Vision
Leaders are professionals who determine the present business stand. Their vision is to analyze where a business wants to go. Leaders prefer adjoining the team to discuss the future path.
2. Ethics and Honesty
Leaders involve those professionals who are honest. As a leader, you need to follow the leaders set.
3. Communication Skills
One of the most in-demand traits to be a leader is to keep the team informed about the whereabouts of the business/organization. This task requires exceptional communication skills.
4. Inspiration
Leaders are professionals who can be inspiring. Because its a leader who leads & assists the team to understand their own roles better.
5. Adaptability
Leaders must be prone to adapt to change. Leaders usually challenge the status quo. Moreover, a leader should be a perfect problem-solver.
For Manager :
1. Vision Execution
Managers are expected to have a grand vision. He/she must be able to build a strategic vision and direct the roadmap for the entire team.
2. Process Management
Managers acquire the dominance to create work rules, processes, standards, and operating procedures.
3. Direct & Coach
Managers must possess the trait of directing and coaching an organizational team. Management is all about reviewing crucial resources and forestalling needs to make changes along the way.
4. People Focused
Management is to regale the demands of the people. A manager should be skillful in listening to the team, involving them in primary decisions, and adapting reasonable requests for change to contribute to enhancing productivity.
The Three Tests Leader Vs Manager
Leaders and managers are often put to test. And you must be aware of the difference between leadership & management in terms of tests.
1. Counting Value vs. Creating Value
Managers are held responsible to count value. However, leaders focus on working to produce a certain value for the organization. Managing is counting value and leading is creating values to be counted on.
2. Circles of Influence vs. Circles of Power
Managers gain subordinates and leaders acquire followers. Leadership is all about implementing what managers create. Managers are a circle of power while leaders create a circle of influence.
3. Leading People vs. Managing People
The primary responsibility of a manager is to control and manage a group. The primary responsibility of a leader is to motivate and influence employees to contribute to the success of an organization. Management has to do with accomplishing a specific goal. Leadership is to influence and motivate.
Conclusion
By now, you must be well aware of the differences between managers and leaders. In conclusion, we can say that leadership and management are inseparable in nature. The two compliments each other - if there is management, there is leadership.
The skills of a manager require the qualities of a leader. The success of an organization depends on both management and leadership. If there is a manager in a department there are a number of leaders.