Businesses provide their staff and their managers an environment to lead, but there is no quarantee that they will be able to lead effectively. Not all managers exercise leadership. How many of you have worked for a manager that was a terrible leader? Leadership can also come from those who don’t manage. How many of you have been inspired by those who don’t have a position of authority or manage people?
Organizations need both strong leadership and strong management for optimal effectiveness. We need leaders who challenge the status quo and inspire and influence. In addition, we need managers to assist in developing and maintaining a smoothly functioning workplace.
Here are some additional distinctions outlining the difference between leadership and management:
Leadership focuses on people, management focuses on things.
Leadership looks outward, management looks inward.
Leadership articulates a vision, management executes plans.
Leadership empowers, management controls.
Leadership creates the future, management improves the present.
Leadership trusts and develops, management directs and coordinates.
Leadership creates change, management manages change.
Leadership uses influence, management uses authority.
Leadership uses and deals with conflict, management avoids conflict.
Leadership acts decisively, management acts responsibly.
Leadership is doing the right things, management is doing things right.
No matter what role you are in today, I recommend that you evaluate yourself on these distinctions and think about what you need to do to elevate your leadership.