Leadership and Management: Differences

To be effective, a company organization needs a management and a leader. This shows that in the context of any particular organization, the two phrases refer to two distinct positions. Each person has a responsibility and a lane to stay in. The two names are frequently confused because they have similar functions. They both have essential roles in every given organization, but each has a different one (Kotterman, 2006). The purpose of this research is to analyze and assess how the two jobs differ in any given organization.

Managers

Managers are members of the business organization who are bestowed with the duties and powers to perform four essential functions in any given body namely: Planning, Organizing, Leading as well as Controlling. Some managers have the qualities of a good leader in the sense that they are involved in activities whicht aim at encouraging the employees as well as providing instances of inspiration to help motivate the workers’ better organization performance. However not all managers are leaders thus sparking up the debate whether leaders are made or born.

Leaders

Leaders distinguish themselves from the managers in the sense that they do not have to hold an office. Consequently, this implies that a leader does not represent a figure of authority in the given organization since anyone can be a leader. In comparison to the managers, leaders are more influential in the sense that they attract masses and crowds because of their personal beliefs as well as behavior. Unlike managers, a leader invests his time and resources on projects that stand for a dedication in the line of work per their passion.

Vision vs. Goals

Leaders come up with visions while on the other hand; the managers create and set goals for the organization. Concerning coming up with ideas, leaders are more elaborate in painting a picture of what the future will be. Then the work of the manager is to come with the various strategies to help to see the vision turn into a reality. If the leader does not have an agenda, the manager is deemed to achieve less or nothing in the organization. Regarding goals set as the various steps followed to attain a specific vision.

Agents of Change

Leaders are known to be the agents of change in that they will change their stands depending on the situation hence having real quick decision-making processes. On the other hand, managers work towards achieving and maintaining the status quo (Stanley, 2006). In regards, leaders are unique; hence keep on inventing new ideas in the ever-changing world. However, managers copy regarding the strategies and theories to apply at work mostly by verified scholars or other businesspeople and managers. In conclusion, it is evident that managers and leaders have a significant disparity ranging from duties as well as their way of work. It is the high time their various functions are distinguished such as a manager can hire and fire while a leader provides recommendations or guidance.

References

Kotterman, J. (2006). Leadership versus management: what is the difference? The Journal for Quality and Participation, 29(2), 13.

Stanley, D. (2006). Role conflict: leaders and managers: David Stanley reviews the literature, and discusses his own research, on the difference between leadership and management. Nursing Management (Harrow), 13(5), 31-38.