10 Key Differences between Leaders and Managers

 

Published reports in Google News are an eye-opener. If you Google “leadership crisis,” you’ll get at least 9,000 search results for business and the public sector. If you enter the key words, “management crisis,” you’ll see twice the results. These figures can vary, but you get the idea.

Further queries underscore the need for growth in many professionals, but there seems to be some confusion in understanding the difference between leadership and management.

True, leaders can manage and managers can lead. Hopefully, managers can display leadership qualities. Conversely, leadership efforts can help in management.

But the news accounts show that some leaders don’t manage and many managers don’t provide leadership. So, my sense is that it’s possible to develop a balance sheet – there are basic differences between the two.

In essence, here’s the salient distinction: It boils down to how professionals inspire their staffs and other stakeholders.

Attributes of a leader:

1. Studies, and develops ideas and principles
2. Innovates
3. Resourceful and looks for solutions to problems
4. Empathetic with a focus on people
5. Inspires trust among stakeholders
6. Understands the big picture
7. Superior listening skills
8. Challenges the state of affairs, and asks why and what can be improved
9. Looks for opportunities to develop strengths
10. Develops a following

Attributes of a manager:

1. Administrates
2. Accepts the status quo
3. Pragmatic in accepting trends and events, but goes no further
4. Focus is on control, structure and systems
5. Has a linear perspective – only follows what’s at the end of her/his nose
6. Asks a limited set of questions – just how or when?
7. Acts like a chameleon or imitator of other managers
8. Perceives threats
9. Minimizes weaknesses
10. Manages subordinates but has few, if any, devotees

From the Coach’s Corner, here are leadership resource links:

• Leadership Strategies to Profit from Employee Respect
• 10 Characteristics of a Successful CEO
• 7 Tips for a Young Professional to Become a CEO
• Link between Financial Performance and Succession Planning
• U.K. Study about Leadership Provides Lessons for the U.S.
• Career Strategies: How to Get a C-Level Job
• How CIOs Can Get More Respect in the C-Suite
• Five Attributes of Leadership Are Needed Now

“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.”
-John F. Kennedy

 

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Author Terry Corbell has written innumerable online business-enhancement articles, and is a business-performance consultant and profit professional. Click here to see his management services. For a complimentary chat about your business situation or to schedule him as a speaker, consultant or author, please contact Terry.