Management vs.

Leadership

Management and leadership skills are often regarded as one and the same to many businesses. While the two inherently share many similar characteristics, they di ffer in that not all managers are leaders, but all leaders are managers. They ar e complementary qualities inexorably linked to each other, and any attempt to ex tricate one from the other is impossible. Whereas the manager exists to plan, or ganize and coordinate, a leader serves to inspire and motivate. Militarily speak ing, a manager is the battlefield general while the leader is the commander-in-c hief. Qualities of a Manager A manager is considered a copy of the leader, responsible for communicating the rules and philosophies of the company to individual employees, and insuring that they abide by them. For a manager, his or her relationships with employees are determined by a hierarchical management system, and rarely through personal ones . They are responsible for maintaining the day to day operations of the company so the cogs of the operation stay well-oiled. Managers are generally more concer ned with the quarterly bottom line, and will often base decisions based on these calculations. Good managers are often considered good soldiers in that they rarel y question the decisions of the higher echelons of the company, and only serve t o enforce the execution of its policies. Qualities of a Leader In contrast, a leader focuses on interpersonal relationships with other importan t contacts in other companies, as well as promoting promising individuals within the company to foster innovation. A leader bases his or her decisions on report s from department heads to assess the entire company's situation, and future strat egies. A true leader will also be willing to ignore the company's quarterly bottom line for several quarters much to the chagrin of shareholders and make investme nts for a long-range growth perspective. A leader is considered a fearless innova tor in that he or she challenges the status quo and is unafraid to take high risk s in search of high rewards, for customers, employees and shareholders alike. Comparison Between Managers and Leaders It is said that a manager asks how and when, whereas a leader asks what and why. In ma y professions, managers and leaders assume the same role. However, if a leader o f a business simply manages a company rather than challenge its true potential t hen it will likely fall behind its industry peers. Likewise, if managers overste p their bounds and attempt to revolt against the company, then they may soon fin d themselves out of the job. In some cases, where micromanagement is essential t o maximize efficiency, nurture skills and keep employees organized, strong manag ers are an absolute necessity to prevent high turnover rates and the brain drain o f a skilled workforce. A good leader will also stay in the front line of battle, and be familiar with every aspect of the company, leading through inspiration r ather than coercing through hierarchical control. A perfect manager who attains the status of a true leader will be able to lead people effectively and draw on the correct strengths and knowledge of every key individual in the company. Many managers will struggle for their entire careers and never attain this, but a sk illed few will evolve into true leaders.