Leadership Vs Management: What Are The Main Differences?
Many people mistake leadership and management as the same thing, but the two have several key differences. Managers have people who work for them, while leaders tend to have people who follow them, willingly. Let’s take a look at a few differences between leadership and management in today’s business world.
Differences Between Leader And Manager
- Leadership inspires and management plans.
- Workplace traits.
- Counting value vs creating value.
- Leaders think long-term.
Leadership Inspires And Management Plans
Leaders are known and generally revered for their abilities to drive people and praise successes. Management differs in the way they operate a business and utilize workers, though. A manager will work to find faults and flaws with workflow and communication. A leader will paint a clear picture of their vision for the company and/or a particular project. Leaders embrace teamwork, knowing a collaborative effort will almost always outduel the efforts of an individual. Managers have a tendency to try to control all situations, which doesn’t give the staff a true chance to fly on their own.
Workplace Traits
Managers and leaders will possess different traits in the workplace. A manager is more focused on the task at hand, and when to get there rather than how to get there. Managers are deadline and results-driven people, fueled by the success of a business; not so much the success of people. These people will have an uncanny ability to execute a vision or a company goal. They can build a map towards success, with each tiny detail included. Managers are direct and focused, which, of course, are certainly good traits to possess. Sometimes, though, being direct with workers instead of taking the time to relate to them better can backfire and lead to a lack of motivation or understanding.
Being direct and focused is important, but leaders will take the time to create a vision that includes each member of the team. Leaders will help chart a path towards success, enabling as many people as possible along the way. Leaders need to always remain honest. Honesty inspires others and it builds trust faster than anything else. Last but not least, a good leader is not afraid to challenge others; it’s what good leaders do. Leaders think outside the box and they will challenge other team members to adopt this style of thinking, as well.
Find more traits of a good leader by reading below.
Counting Value Vs Creating Value
If you are a manager, chances are you simply count value instead of creating it. But, what exactly does this mean? Managers, unlike leaders, count value and can even reduce it when disabling someone who certainly adds value to your organization. A manager may ask for constant updates or set strict deadlines. Meanwhile, a leader will create value by giving a team member extra responsibility or a chance to lead by example. A key factor in leadership is enabling others. Enable others and you will undoubtedly inspire others along the way.
Leaders Think Long-Term
Leaders will stay disciplined and focused as they strive towards long-term goals within the company. This isn’t necessarily the case for managers, though. Managers specialize in working towards short-term, sometimes daily, goals and targets. Leaders tend to remain motivated without the daily, weekly or quarterly acknowledgements or rewards. Managers are meant to manage on a daily basis. Leaders are in charge of inspiring others and leading them into the future, growing both as a worker and individual.
Skills Of A Good Leader
Here is a quick list of qualities that aspiring leaders should possess:
Commitment
Managers or bosses simply in their current roles to move on and up in a short period of time will do little to inspire the confidence of their employees. Great leaders stick around for the long term, through good times and bad. Commitment never goes unnoticed by fellow employees or workers. Good managers are committed to making their current role as meaningful as possible. By committing time and effort over a long period of time, good leaders are demonstrating their worth simply by their body of work.
Inspiration
Explaining a task or goal to your team, then just leaving it up to them is okay, but there is certainly a better way to get your team excited on the job. A good leader will leave no doubt that you understand the objectives set in place. Walk your team through a project step-by-step, fielding any questions along the way. Passion is a building block towards success, and passion can definitely become contagious when the right culture is developed.
Communication Skills
All of these tips and skills are rendered moot if the manager is not a good communicator. Good communication skills are possibly the first attribute a good leader must acquire. Knowing how to speak with employees of all different levels and needs is crucial for success. Goals and objectives are the easy parts. Effectively guiding your employees to the goals is where the real work begins.
Influence
Bosses command and leaders influence is a common belief. Many believe a leader’s authority stems directly from his or her ability to influence others. A boss offers rules, while a leader encourages workers to think for themselves and utilized creativity when possible. Good leaders tend to grow their influence by practicing encouragement, optimism, and of course, honing some exceptional communication skills.
To read more about necessary leadership skills in the workplace click here.
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Leadership Training By Saletta Leadership, LLC
Michael Saletta is known as the “Master Facilitator” in guiding companies to drive their sales and business strategy. He is the founder and CEO of Saletta Leadership, LLC and Leadership Partners, LLC, consulting companies dedicated to developing leaders, growing sales, and aligning team performance. Change your business by contacting Saletta Leadership today!
