Leadership is Not the Same as Management
The words `leader’ and `manager’ are often believed to mean the same thing, but they do not have the same meaning even though both qualities can still be found in a single person. A leader is propelled by a vision, or he is a person who rises to create a vision, an idea or achievable dream. Conversely, a manager works with a plan which is necessary to guide him in the course of his job. Leaders ask the questions `what’ and `why’ and work to empower their followers by giving them the opportunity to carry out some responsibilities. Managers are concerned with the `how’ and try to follow system and methods of operation.
Warren Bennis, a professor at the University of Southern California, provided us with some of the clearest differences between leaders and managers. According to him, while leaders strive to do the right thing, managers seek to do things right. The idea agrees with our everyday behavior. When you are eager to do what is right, you will often think of the principles and the `how to’s’ of the planned action. Managers always have that kind of mentality.
The idea of doing the right thing has a deeper meaning to it. It points to the future, to dreams and to the vision a leader carries with him. These are the unique characteristics of a leader.
Furthermore, Bennis made some comparisons between a leader and a manager. His ideas are presented below:
Leadership vs. Management
A Manager
- Concerns himself with the administration
- Maintains things as they are
- Loyal to systems and organizational structure
- Makes sure people work according to an existing system
- Satisfied with how things work
- Does not project too far
- Takes full charge of ongoing activities
A Leader
- Creates new ideas
- Develops himself and his followers
- Shows emotions and concern about people
- Acts as an inspiration to people
- Questions the status quo
- Thinks and projects far
- Shows people the way
Risky Leadership and Careful Management
We can differentiate between leaders and managers by looking at the level of risks involved or the eagerness in each one to take risks. Managers seem naturally unwilling to take risks, while risks are part of what a leader does and defines who he is, although he does not venture into the unknown for the fun of it. Leaders have one goal in mind: to fulfill their vision and they will neither rest nor feel threatened by oppositions. They are willing to endure problems and challenges until they achieve their goal. They are not moved by the dangers on the way. If the same path leads to fulfilling their dream, they will gladly tow that direction despite the foreseen or unforeseen obstacles. A leader can naturally turn what looks like a problem into an opportunity. He is ready to do things differently to get to where he is going.
However, managers are occupied with maintaining things as they are and they do everything in their power to avoid risks. Many leaders have been able to rise above their physical handicap to become famous and successful. They suffered and survived such things as childhood trauma, dyslexia and the deficiency in height. Their situations and conditions taught them self-reliance and independence of thoughts which are the necessary ingredients for seeing and doing things from a different point of view. They learned to take risks and worry less of what others may think of them.
Managers boast of having subordinates who answer to them and receive instructions directly from their desk. Leaders also have followers when they are in the art of leading. The art of following involves a voluntary submission to a leader, and it is effective when the leader has charisma. Charisma is obtained through effective interpersonal Leadership skills possessed by the one who understands full well that people can only be influenced, not forced into acting against their will. To inspire people is a way of making them follow you naturally because of the power of your personality.
Leaders have the firm belief that their followers will improve and become better in the course of the relationship. Using such approach lends great power to lead and is more effective than the conventional method of motivating people using money, gifts, favor, better treatment and several other kinds of benefits possible.
While we agree that the roles of the leader and the manager can sometimes be unclear due to the personalities and abilities people may have, we also know that it is difficult to show when a leader leads and when a manager manages.
So far, we have tried to explain the differences between a leader and a manager. We have also shed more light on the various roles they occupy so that you will understand what both positions and responsibilities stand for.
