Do you consider yourself a leader or a manager? Both? And what’s the difference between the two?
Let’s start by defining these two terms:
- Leader: A person who influences a group of people towards the achievement of a goal, and who rules, guides or inspires others.
- Manager: Someone who controls resources and expenditures, a person who is in charge of a certain group of tasks, or a certain subset of a company.
Many people say that the main difference between a leader and a manager is the way they motivate the people who work for them or follow them. However, many people are both because they realize different situations call for different tactics.
In the book On Becoming a Leader by Warren Bennis, he describes the differences between managers and leaders the following ways:
- The manager administers; the leader innovates.
- The manager is a copy; the leader is an original.
- The manager maintains; the leader develops.
- The manager focuses on systems and structure; the leader focuses on people.
- The manager relies on control; the leader inspires trust.
- The manager accepts reality; the leader investigates it.
- The manager has a short-range view; the leader has a long-range perspective.
- The manager asks how and when; the leader asks what and why.
- The manager has his or her eye always on the bottom line; the leader has his or her eye on the horizon.
- The manager imitates; the leader originates.
- The manager accepts the status quo; the leader challenges it.
- The manager is the classic good soldier; the leader is his or her own person.
- The manager does things right; the leader does the right thing.
Leaders are skilled in applying emotional intelligence to all aspects of their work, while still maintaining authority as a manager would. Leaders are also focused on change and continual improvement – either for themselves or others – because they realize success comes from taking these necessary steps.
Still not sure whether you’re a leader or a manager? Check out this table which summarizes both ends of the spectrum.
What makes you think of someone as a leader?
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