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Difference Between Management and Leadership

Learn about the Difference Between Management and Leadership - ilearnlot

Leadership and Management Difference; The words “leader” and “manager” are among the most commonly used words in business and are often used interchangeably. But have you ever wonder what the terms mean? What is the Difference Between Management and Leadership? Leadership is working solely, lead the Business own, but Management runs through the entire department.

What Do they Do? Learn about the Difference Between Management and Leadership!

The following topic define what difference them below are;

First, What is Management? Management (or managing) is the administration of an organization. Whether it is a business, a not-for-profit organization, or a government body. Management includes the activities of setting the strategy of an organization and coordinating the efforts of its employees (or of volunteers) to accomplish.

It’s objectives through the application of available resources, such as financial, natural, technological, and human resources. The term “management” may also refer to those people who manage an organization.

Second, What is Leadership? Leadership is both a research area and a practical skill encompassing the ability of an individual or organization to “lead” or guide other individuals, teams, or entire organizations.

Specialist literature debates various viewpoints, contrasting Eastern and Western approaches to leadership, and also (within the West) US vs. European approaches. US academic environments define leadership as “a process of social influence in which a person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task”.

Leadership seen from a European and non-academic perspective encompasses a view of a leader. Who can move not only by communitarian goals but also by the search for personal power? Leadership can derive from a combination of several factors.

What Do Managers Do?

A manager is a member of an organization with the responsibility of carrying out the four important functions of management: planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. But are all managers leaders?

Most managers also tend to be leaders, but only IF they also adequately carry out the leadership responsibilities of management. Which include communication, motivation, providing inspiration and guidance, and encouraging employees to rise to a higher level of productivity.

Unfortunately, not all managers are leaders. Some managers have poor leadership qualities, and employees follow orders. Their managers because they are obliged to do so not necessarily because they are influenced or inspire the leader.

Managerial duties are usually a formal part of a job description; subordinates follow as a result of the professional title or designation. A manager’s chief focus is to meet organizational goals and objectives; they typically do not take much else into consideration. Managers are held responsible for their actions, as well as for the actions of their subordinates. With the title comes the authority and the privilege to promote, hire, fire, discipline, or reward employees based on their performance and behavior.

What Do Leaders Do?

The primary difference between management and leadership is that leaders don’t necessarily hold or occupy a management position. Simply put, a leader doesn’t have to be an authority figure in the organization; a leader can be anyone.

Unlike managers, leaders are followed because of their personality, behavior, and beliefs. A Leader personally invests in tasks and projects and demonstrates a high level of passion for work. Leaders take a great deal of interest in the success of their followers, enabling them to reach their goals to satisfaction these are not necessarily organizational goals.

There isn’t always tangible or formal power that a leader possesses over his followers. Temporary power is the award to a leader and can conditional base on the ability of the leader to continually inspire and motivate their followers.

Subordinates of a manager are required to obey orders while following is optional when it comes to leadership. Leadership works on inspiration and trust among employees; those who do wish to follow their leader may stop at any time. Generally, leaders are people who challenge the status quo. Leadership is change-savvy, visionary, agile, creative, and adaptive.

The important differences between them:

Being a manager and a leader at the same time is a viable concept. But remember, just because someone is a phenomenal leader it does not necessarily guarantee that the person will an exceptional manager as well, and vice versa. So, what are the standout differences between the two roles?

A leader invents or innovates while a manager organizes!

The leader of the team comes up with new ideas and kickstarts the organization’s shift or transition to a forward-thinking phase. A leader always has his or her eyes set on the horizon, developing new techniques and strategies for the organization. A leader has immense knowledge of all the current trends, advancements, and skillsets—and has the clarity of purpose and vision. By contrast, a manager is someone who generally only maintains what is already established. A manager needs to watch the bottom line while controlling employees and workflow in the organization and preventing any kind of chaos.

A manager relies on control whereas a leader inspires trust!

A leader is a person who pushes employees to do their best and knows how to set an appropriate pace and tempo for the rest of the group. Managers, on the other hand, are required by their job description to establish control over employees which, in turn, helps them develop their assets to bring out their best. Thus, managers have to understand their subordinates well to do their job effectively.

A leader asks the questions “what” and “why whereas a manager leans more towards the questions “how” and “when”!

To be able to do justice to their role as a leader. Some may question and challenge authority to modify or even reverse decisions. That may not have the team’s best interests in mind.

Good leadership requires a great deal of good judgment. Especially when it comes to the ability to stand up to senior management over a point of concern or if there is an aspect in need of improvement. If a company goes through a rough patch, a leader will be the one who will stand up and ask the question: “What did we learn from this?”

Managers, however, are not required to assess and analyze failures. Their job description emphasizes asking the questions “how” and “when,” which usually helps them make sure that plans are properly executed. They tend to accept the status quo exactly the way it is and do not attempt a change.

Understanding the Differences between Management and Leadership: 

A successful business owner needs to be both a strong leader and manager to get. Their team on board to follow them towards their vision of success. Leadership is about getting people to understand and believe in your vision and to work with you to achieve your goals. While managing is more about administering and making sure the day-to-day things are happening as they should.

While Many Traits Make Up a Strong Leader, Some of the key characteristics are:
  • Honesty & Integrity: are crucial to getting your people to believe you and buy into the journey you are taking them on
  • Vision: know where you are, where you want to go, and enroll your team in charting a path for the future.
  • Inspiration: inspire your team to be all they can by making sure they understand their role in the bigger picture.
  • Ability to Challenge: do not be afraid to challenge the status quo, do things differently, and have the courage to think outside the box.
  • Communication Skills: keep your team informs of the journey, where you are, where you are heading, and share any roadblocks you may encounter along the way.

Some of the Common Traits Shared by Strong Managers are:

  • Being Able to Execute a Vision: take a strategic vision and break it down into a roadmap to follow the team.
  • Ability to Direct: day-to-day work efforts, review resources need, and anticipate needs along the way.
  • Process Management: establish work rules, processes, standards, and operating procedures.
  • People Focused: look after your people, their needs, listen to them, and involve them.

For you to engage your staff in providing the best service to your guests, clients, or partners. You must enroll them in your vision and align their perceptions and behaviors. You need to get them excited about where you are taking them while making sure they know what’s in it for them. With smaller organizations, the challenge lies in making sure you are both leading your team as well as managing your day to day operation. Those who can do both will create a competitive advantage. Are you both a leader and a manager; what would your staff say if you were to ask them?

Learn about the Difference Between Management and Leadership - ilearnlot
Learn about the Difference Between Management and Leadership!
Nageshwar Das

Nageshwar Das

Nageshwar Das, BBA graduation with Finance and Marketing specialization, and CEO, Web Developer, & Admin in ilearnlot.com.View Author posts