Leadership and management are concepts that go hand in hand. Even though these two concepts can be mistaken easily as a single concept, there are significant differences between leader and manager. Leadership and management can be identified separately by studying these differences. When studying about leadership and management, it is necessary to understand the differences between leader and manager to identify which quality is needed for each business scenario. Leadership traits and management qualities should be added to the organizations in each and every operation as necessary.
This article will be clear guidance about seven main differences between leader and manager.
01. Followers vs. Workers
The leader has many followers who follow the leadership style. They attract to the behavior and the characteristics and willingly follow the leader. The manager has workers who work under him. Workers are assigned for the managers and they have to work under the manager without a choice.
02. Change creation vs. change reaction
Leaders create change. They take the initiative to take an idea and create something new using that idea. They always encourage followers also for innovation and creativity. Managers react to change. They don’t initiate any new changes but they react to the changes and encourage workers also to react to the changes in a way to achieve goals set by the leaders.
03. Show vs. tell
Leaders show what needs to be done. They lead by being an example to the followers. They motivate their followers to learn from them and pursue. Managers tell the workers what to do. They do not set an example but instruct the workers what needs to be done and how it should be done.
04. Making heroes vs. being heroes
Leaders always try to pull others up to their level. They help the followers to grow. They motivate and encourage followers to become leaders. Managers take credit for the achievements of the workers. They set targets for workers and once the workers achieve the target, the credit for the achievement directly goes to the manager.
05. Power with people vs. power over people
Leaders are always trying to be close to their followers. They pay attention to the followers’ ideas and encourage them. Their power is decided on the followers they have. Managers have power over workers who work under them. They can control, monitor and guide employees based on the power they have over the workers. This power can be used for the benefit of the workers as well as adversely.
06. Long term vs. short term
Leaders usually build their plans for the long term. They build a vision, share the vision with the followers and motivate the follower to achieve the vision. They always concentrate on the bigger picture and flexibly arrange their goals to achieve their vision. Managers are liable for the short term goals assigned. They motivate the workers to achieve short term goals and the motivation is limited to the time period they are employed in that position.
07. People-focused vs. process focused
Leaders are always people-focused. They concentrate on the issues faced by followers, help them for personal growth and believe in organizational growth through employee growth. Managers are process focused and they want a smooth flow of the process. As long as the set targets are achieved, they are not worrying about employee growth.
Leaders and managers are showing distinct qualities in their behavior. It has been identified that some managers are also pursuing leadership qualities. Some leaders carry management qualities as well. This combination helps to achieve organizational strategic targets better and faster. In the real business world, both management and leadership qualities are equally important and the differences between leader and manager can be used in favor of any organization.