Is Leadership Different from Management?

It's true: managers can be leaders and vice versa, but there are some very significant differences between the two. We'll take a closer look at each and distinguish between leaders and managers.

Managers and Leaders Defined

According to the Cambridge Dictionary Online, to manage means "to be responsible for controlling or organizing someone or something especially a business". At first glance, this definition might be mistaken for that of a leader. A leader however is defined as "a person in control of a group, country or situation". Both of these definitions describe each role as being controlling; however, there are distinct differences.

Managers Are Doers, Leaders are Thinkers

This is not to say that leaders are not doers. They work very hard to reach their position of power, but leaders tend to be more charismatic big thinkers. Leaders normally hire managers to carry out the tasks of their vision. It's a manager's responsibility to make sure that all of the details of a specific vision, idea or concept are handled whether they do the work themselves or delegate some of it to their subordinates.

Speaking of subordinates, another key element that separates leaders from managers is that managers not only have subordinates, they are subordinates. Every manager has one or more people who have authority over them. Managers may be in charge of a department, project or division of a company but they do not control the company as a whole the way leaders do.

Managers Give Direction, Leaders Create Direction

Part of a manager's job is to delegate tasks and responsibilities to the employees they manage. A leader's responsibility, however, is to create that direction be it policies, company expansion or new markets.

Both Managers and Leaders Make Decisions

Managers are usually limited to the type or amount of decisions they can make before approval from a superior is required. Even then, those decisions usually only affect the immediate people or department the manager is responsible for. Leaders on the other hand, have the ability to make key decisions large and small that may affect the entire organization without approval from anyone.

Short Term vs. Long Term

Often times, managers are in their positions for a short amount of time. This is because they are working their way up the corporate ladder and may be promoted. Another reason is because they see greener pastures somewhere else and transfer their skills and knowledge to another company.

Leaders are usually in it for the long haul. Whether they worked their way up from the bottom or started the company from the ground up, leaders generally have a vested amount of time and effort in a company. Most leaders do not want to throw away all of the blood, sweat and tears they put into an organization to start over somewhere else. Many leaders, however, enter other ventures simultaneously simply for the thrill of running a company or to expand on their success. They may start brand new companies or smaller affiliate companies to the one they already have. Famous leaders like Donald Trump, Oprah Winfrey and Steve Jobs all have more than one company.

Can One Function Without the Other?

There are some leaders who try to lead and manage at the same time but usually not successfully. By trying to do everything, something is going to suffer. Do you need management skills to be a leader? To a certain degree, I suppose. To be a good leader you need to be able to manage ideas and be organized enough to put the people in place that will help you be successful.

Do you need leadership skills to be a manager? Sadly, the answer is no. There are many managers in the corporate world who have no leadership ability. Many pass on their work to their employees and cower when problems arise. Many employees go over their heads to get answers because they make themselves unavailable or impossible to communicate with. These managers will probably not go on to be company leaders. There are some managers though, that their employees aspire to be and their bosses would trust their lives with; leaders in their own right who rise to the challenge and go above and beyond the call of duty. These managers are incredibly valuable to any company and have a much easier time getting promotions and recognition for their efforts.

It takes a certain type of person to be a great leader or a manager. When each is outstanding in their respective role and working as a unified front, the outcome is sure to be a company that is thriving, strong and unstoppable.