In the modern world of business, the terms management and leadership are sometimes used almost synonymously although they represent two different concepts within any organisation. Although both are intended to help steer a team towards a goal, the techniques, competencies and results can be quite different.
In an effort to learn how each concept can impact organisational success let us now discuss the differences between management and leadership.
“Leadership entails the ability to influence and coordinate people to achieve common objectives or vision”.
While management encompasses control and systems, organisational leadership emphasises change and development of people and their capacity to greatness. Leaders create confidence, foster creativity and motivate people by their own actions.
Leadership does not necessarily apply to a position; it can also be a function that is open to anyone if they show the right attitude.
“On the other hand, management is the procedure of coordinating, controlling and supervising the business activities in order to meet certain goals that have been set within the business.”
Managers are concerned with establishing systems that ensure that a business organisation remains viable and effectively operational. Supervision refers to arranging work and supervising employees to coordinate tasks, follow set processes to get the work done efficiently as planned.
Both managers and leaders are important, but their methods and responsibilities are very distinct. Below are some key differences between leadership and management that clarify their unique contributions:
Leadership in essence means influencing people and driving change by controlling people through vision and creativity. Leaders are mostly future-bound individuals who aim at pressing others towards common goals that would bring about change.
Management is focused on accomplishing organisational objectives by the use of daily operations and structure. Project managers of any organisation stress on rational usage of resources and keeping with the laid down systems to avoid volatility.
Leadership entails establishing organisational targets and encouraging people to commit to them. Leaders consider a broader perspective, and in addition to the task at hand, they picture the potential of development.
Management ensures that vision is realised. An idea is the cornerstone of winning and it is a manager’s duty to divide the vision into manageable objectives, to develop tools and plans, and to establish practices and performance methods to achieve it.
In an organisation, leadership depends on influence, charm and faith. Leaders motivate people, ensuring members of the team follow the leader because they believe in the leader’s ideas.
Management relies on authority which is propped up by formal structures. In organisation, managers are appointed to certain positions and are expected to coordinate teams using rules, policies and rank.
Leadership often involves taking calculated risks. Leaders are generally more open to exploring new paths and experimenting with innovative ideas. Risk taking is one of the biggest characteristics that are associated with leadership. leaders are said to be willing to look for new solutions and try new things.
Management is so inclined to risk minimisation. Managers prefer orderly change because there is a tendency of achieving high risk aversion to maintain standardised systems that safeguard organisation interest.
Leadership pays more attention to people. Leaders spend time on people development, encouraging and motivating them, acknowledging that people make the organisation.
Management is more on the processes. Managers specifically oversee everyday operations, organisation of work, the appropriate use of resources and the correspondence of tasks to the organisational goals.
Leadership brings growth and transformation to the way tasks are approached and solved by the members of a particular team.
Management has efficiency orientation and focuses on optimising resources to get the most out of an organisation within existing structures.
Leadership takes time since it entails influencing the culture and future of the organisation so as to propel constant advancement.
Management generally strives to achieve objectives in the short run, for instance new ones or meeting quarterly goals, or project delivery within time.
Leadership will delegate responsibility, offering greater freedom to those in the ranks and insisting they complete their work themselves.
Management sometimes assumes the form of control and supervision where you have to oversee that things are done right and on time.
Leadership cannot exist where there is no special drive to inspire the people. Organisations promote and facilitate high levels of commitment from the employees and assist each individual to achieve their full potential.
Management includes oversight. They give out the strategies to be followed and oversee the process to guarantee alignment with the goals of the organisation.
Leadership and change are inseparable since leaders are always in the lookout for ways to enhance, develop and transform.
Management values stability. Managers make sure that activities in the business are smooth, certain and efficient all the time so that the organisation can function well.
In a successful and efficient organisation, management and leadership roles often overlap thus making it easier for the responsible person to perform the duties well. Here are some key areas where the two roles overlap:
Goal Achievement: Leaders and managers ensure the achievement of organisational objectives although they do this differently.
Team Building: Both of them involve the process of establishing and maintaining a viable and integrated workforce that has the capacity to deliver objectives set down.
Decision-Making: Managers and leaders apply their decision-making power on organisational matters whether on the routine organisational processes or on the strategic development of the organisation.
Resource Allocation: For leaders and managers, it’s significant to provide resources and allocate them effectively so that they can achieve the organisational goals and objectives within the stipulated time.
Problem-Solving: Both are charged with solving problems as they emerge but while managers tend to offer quick solutions, leaders will consider the long-term effects.
Thus, management is not necessarily leadership, yet there are cases when both functions merge. A good manager can also be the leader who encourages his team and at the same time keeps on track responsibilities. Similarly, leaders end up being in charge of people in order to achieve the envisioned objective. Many senior executive positions require not only management but also leadership ability in order to reach the highest efficiency.
In summary,
Leadership and management functions are two faces of the same coin, possessing different values added to an organisation. Management and leadership skills are vital for anyone that seeks to enhance their career because the two fields deal with different organisational requirements. When such a reality is understood and accepted, individuals are more productive and become an asset to their team and organisations. Develop your leadership and organisational abilities with Management Training Courses from the British Academy for Training and Development to work on these skills.
1. What traits are typically associated with leaders over managers?
The key features of leaders are expressed in such skills of mobilisation, creativity, and persuasion. Their values are vision, change, and empowering teams for success. Leaders are often creative and have competitive motivation to bring change and often have ability to take risks unlike the managers who have repetitive control over structure and process.
2. Is it possible for someone to be both a leader and a manager?
Yes, two roles can be performed by one individual. Although leadership and management are often viewed as two different things, they are not completely separate. Some of the best professionals incorporate the duties of leadership with the functionalism of management, while they are charting the direction that the team should take, also ensuring that goals are achieved.