So what is different between leaders and managers? Can one be the other, or are they mutually exclusive.
I beleive that the major difference is that the true leader takes the rules of an organization and uses them as suggestions or maybe even a basis for change. The manager, on the other hand, uses the rules to govern, organize, and minimize chaos.
The leaders pulls, the manager pushes, and the organization moves forward.
I like the quote by Thomas Edison: "Hell, there are no rules here. We're trying to accomplish something."
Let me know what you think.
John
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8 comments:
Managing is the day to day stuff that when mastered can make you good at your job. Leadership is a quality that when used moves an organization to greatness. I think they concurrently happen. We all have management stuff that we have to accomplish. If we move beyond the task and think of the process, the people, and the purpose; we step into leadership. I think it happens more and more as we get comfortable with managing, and have a desire to seek change in ourselves and others. Unfortunately for some; management gets to be a comfort zone, and the desire to lead, is lost. Just my observation and opinion as i have progressed in my own management journey! Jana
I have to agree with both posts. Managing and Leading are not mutually exclusive. In fact, you can have one without the other. Managing is what we are rewarded for because the tangible objectives are met. I like the visual image of a manager pushing and a leader pulling an organization. I believe the business sector as a whole, has a lot of managers and a lot of followers. What is lacking are the leaders who bring everything together into a perspective everyone can rally around. Margaret
"You're only as good as your leader". I'm not sure where I read it, but I've used that line many times. To me a leader is the driving force in an organization. A manager will make sure specific tasks are completed but in my experience they don't drive change
I look at leadership as an end result and management as a means of getting there.
Mariann
I believe there is a difference between being a manager and being a leader. I think you have to achieve a balance between being a manager and a leader. You don’t want to be exclusively a manager, or function strictly as a leader. The message in either case will get stale to the people that you manage.
A manager needs to focus on results-oriented tasks like budgeting for the department, completing evaluations, coach, and even creating processes and procedures for the department. All of these tasks are vital in governing the department.
Being a leader is being able to communicate to your department, both as a group and on an individual basis. The leader wants the group to see them as a person, being able to show a human side. The leader wants to be able to relate to the people making up their department. They also need to communicate the goals of the department, and company, and they need to get a commitment from the group, that shows up in their daily performance that they have bought in to the message delivered by the leader/manager.
Chris
While I do not believe they are mutually exclusive, I don't see many individuals possessing the skills and atributes necessary to excel at both. Having said that, I see Managers who clearly are not capable of leading, and individuals in "leadership" positions who may not have the skills to be either.
Managers ensure daily operations of an organization, leaders guide the vision for the organization.
I believe there are many diferences between managing and leading including:
Managers are typically concerned with efficiencies and getting things done, leaders may ask "should we be doing this at all"?
Managers may be concerned with the "how", wile leaders are usually concerned with the "why".
Management many times is about systems, controls, policies, and procedures...while many (myself included) believe leadership is about people, relationships, and culture (can't lead if you don't have followers).
Managing ensures maintaining the status quo (an appropriate management behavior). Leaders are likely more concerned with innovation and where to go in the future.
Both managers and leaders are concerned about the bottom line, but leaderscan see beyond the bottom line to the horizon...they have vision and that vision inspires them to make sometimes difficult decisions on behalf of the organization and the people within the organization.
Good leaders empower employees to feel ownership of their jobs which is positive for the employees and the organization....leaders work in partnership with Managers to attain the organizations vision.
Most individuals and the literature suggests there are differences between management and leadership. Organizations need both strong managers and inspiring leaders. Organizations cannot function without both and occassionally you find an individual capable of being both...I could go on forever on this topic (and have in other venues), but I think it is safe to say that many organizations in this country have been overmanaged and severely underled...which is promising for the future of the students in this class...:) Melissa
Managers are just there. They "run the show". But thats it. No vision, no coaching, no empathy.
Leaders "run the show" too but are empower their employees to do more. Gives them vision, guidance, and support.
I read a quote a few days ago that really impressed me... and I think it applies here,
"The leader is not the one in the spotlight, but the one leading the applause.”
I thought that was a good quote because it sends the message that we should be supporting our team members and knowing that they can trust in us to support them when they take a leap; especially when it’s out of their comfort zone. Encourage, guide, and coach them to success so they want to be successful again, and again, and again.
Managers wouldnt understand what the qoute means.
Joe Pelle
A leader doesn't take the rules of an organization, a leader makes the rules of an organization. An effective leader is an agent for change, setting out a vision of where an organization needs to go, then affecting the changes necessary to get there.
A manager impliments the vision for the organization from the bottom up, setting out the how of the vision on a more task oriented basis. The leader sets out the what and when of the vision. Like you said, leaders pull and managers push, so to speak.
Gary
It's interesting to be the last comment this week. Looks like just about everyone is on the same page; especially those of us who have worked for leaders who function as managers. In reading this week's chapter on transformational vs. transactional leadership; I'm led to the belief that managers may be visionary, but are forced to operate transactionally. I believe good leaders should always be transformational. Jan
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