The Difference Between a Manager and a Leader
87A Leader is a Stand Out
Manager Development
Leader. Leadership. One of these might be the first word that comes to mind when someone asks themselves, "What qualities make a good manager?" That word might or might not be part of any individual person that is a manager.
Some may think that a Manager and a Leader are the same, but they are not necessarily identical. An effective manager will have leadership qualities and "manager" will be only one facet of a "LEADER."
A Leader possesses a natural set of talents that inspire people to follow, to be loyal, and to produce. Some managers have these qualities, but others do not possess them, or have them to some degree that can be enhanced through training and coaching. Ongoing Professional Development would target that need and a good alternative would be Self-Improvement training through books, a career coach, a counselor, a job club, a professional organization, or other entities and resources.
Those managers that do not have specific leadership qualities and talents or that do not receive guidance to draw them out sometimes work much harder than their subordinates to produce results for the company. In extreme cases, they may even become workaholics and possibly feel that their subordinates are not capable of adequate work production and quality. He/she may become resentful of them and they of him/her.
Leaders and Management
|
Strengths-Based Leadership
Price: $13.55
List Price: $24.95 |
|
Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting out of the Box
Price: $11.43
List Price: $16.95 |
|
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You
Price: $11.38
List Price: $24.99 |
|
Unleashing the Power of Rubber Bands: Lessons in Non-Linear Leadership
Price: $5.10
List Price: $17.99 |
|
Primal Leadership: Learning to Lead with Emotional Intelligence
Price: $9.70
List Price: $18.00 |
|
Monday Morning Leadership: 8 Mentoring Sessions You Can't Afford to Miss
Price: $9.94
List Price: $14.95 |
Advancement On the Job
Regardless of the dynamics, some of these managers remain stymied in the same occupational title and pay level for decades. They become "too valuable in their positions to replace' and "not valuable enough" as asset for the administration develop to move up the ladder and secure increased company results. Such development may be viewed as a risky gamble by the company leadership and training costs and replacement costs to move up that manager may be formidable.
We have seen the portrayal in film, television, and art of the frustrated, hardworking manager toiling around the clock in rolled-up shirtsleeves. Such a hands-on manager, in fact, can be inspiring to subordinates, but he can also work himself into illness. He/she likely could accomplish more for the company by delegating duties and leading subordinates into a network that is structured for optimal results.
Leadership qualities are the characteristics that propel the manager upward in the company and a long-term career. They produce increased business results for the company and the customers or clients that it serves.
Functions of a Manager
Sometimes, a manager is a babysitter with a glorified title. This might be someone that accepts the title "Manager" and by doing so, helps to lower an organizational framework over a group of people - There are now a Manager and Subordinates, where before, everyone was more or less equal and a kind of pecking order likely existed - This pecking order, actually, is an informal Vertical Team in a self-placed hierarchy. There is a clearer hierarchy after the installation of a Manager and the natural pecking order may assert itself more strongly within it. In fact, some people might quit if they do not think the Manager deserves to be a Manager, even if there is no increase in pay or duties with the title. Whatever the manifestation, if the Manager does not use leadership qualities to advantage, the dynamics of the work group may change for the worse.
Sometimes a manager is actually a frontline worker (as opposed to a supervisor) that is paid just a bit more than subordinates in order to set a faster, more productive work pace. I have known managers that earned only 5 cents per hour more than their subordinates, yet produced 50+% more work output, performing the same job and having very few additional responsibilities. One such manager's only additional role was to be the first of the group to arrive and the last to leave, just before the Department Supervisor.
A Manager and a Leader, then, are not necessarily the same. In addition, effective management is a skill needed by leaders when they hope and plan to rise in the workplace to higher, more responsible, and better-paying job titles during a long-term or lifelong career.
Successful Managers (Linked to 14 other Videos at the end)
Leaders Stand Out with Bright Ideas
Different Job Personalities
Leadership
Leadership is one characteristics of an Effective Manager.
The goal a manager is to maximize work output for the company. To do so, effective managers must:
- Organize
- Plan and schedule
- Hire, staff, develop, and fire as needed
- Direct assigned operations
- Control production and costs
- Act as a role model - e.g. work in production him(her)self as needed
At times, leadership is not even required in management - very self-motivated teams do not always need a central leader (this is more like a democratic Horizontal Team). Other times, a natural leader may arise in a work group, and is not the Manager. This may result in conflict.
Points of View
Managers often think in terms of production and Leaders think in terms of the future.
Managers may follow manuals and quotas while Leaders follow their own vision and innovation.
Managers work, while Leaders think and create.
Managers are often a cog in the company wheel of production, while Leaders are outside production as stand out in their un-cog-like differences.
Aside from the foregoing discussion, effective Managers need these skills. We can remember them by recalling:
I CEEE CAT (I see cat.)
Integrity
Effective, Appropriate, and Timely Communication
Enthusiasm/Energy
Empathy
Competence
Calm During Crises - Confidence and skillful problem-solving
Ability to Delegate
Team-Building Skills
Additional characteristics, skills, and personal qualities will enhance the work of and the results achieved by both Leaders and Managers, and the above list is a very good foundation upon which to build an effective Job Personality.
Leasdership
|
|
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You
Price: $11.37
List Price: $24.99 |
|
Leadership 101: What Every Leader Needs to Know
Price: $4.47
List Price: $9.99 |
|
|
Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting out of the Box
Price: $11.43
List Price: $16.95 |
|
Leadership
Price: $0.99
List Price: $15.95 |
|
|
Strengths-Based Leadership
Price: $13.55
List Price: $24.95 |
Management
|
The One Minute Manager
Price: $10.13
List Price: $22.99 |
|
The Dream Manager
Price: $11.55
List Price: $19.95 |
|
The One Minute Manager Meets the Monkey
Price: $4.99
List Price: $12.00 |
|
Successful Manager's Handbook: Develop Yourself, Coach Others
Price: $27.50
List Price: $59.95 |
|
The First-Time Manager
Price: $9.70
List Price: $17.95 |
PrintShare it! — Rate it: up down flag this hub
Comments
It's obvious without reading this article, that managers are subdued as their act of duty, within a workplace and can be very uneasy and unpleasant people to be around.
Where as leaders, with leadership qualities always show the epitome of what is publically seen as "good" in societies eye.
I feel good for my assumption, hope it was somewhat similar.
Management vs Leadership. How to combine both skills for the beast possible impact? Well, that is not so easy and it takes a bit more thinking and a bit more acting, but it is very worthwhile in any endeavour.
Great article: can I add my thoughts (actually its an old training article I wrote)...
POLARITIES IN ORGANISATIONAL LIFE (DO WE NEED TWO HEADS)
Traditional management concerned itself with supervision; checking, delegating, controlling, inputs and ensuring staff did what they are told. Managers where seen as fitting along a style line between laissez-faire and autocratic, with the ideal supposedly near the middle as a democrat.
Today the issue is more complex and with an empowered workforce our style is less relevant and as managers need to become ‘more things’ to a more demanding workforce. The concept of managers needing to fulfill a leader role is prevalent. Some even argue managers are no longer required and it’s only leaders that will drive the companies of the future. This is fine in theory however corporate culture can take a long time to change and most managers are expected to fulfill the duel role. This creates inner conflict as the ideals of the two disciplines are at opposite ends of the spectrum.
MANAGEMENT is about: CONTROLLING…don’t leave the department, check what they’re up to, define competence requirements and ‘title and position give authority’ V.’s LEADERSHIP, which is about: FREEDOM…finding ways to encourage new ideas, creativity and initiative by letting ‘followers’ participate in a flexible situation where authority is shared.
MANAGEMENT is about: SURVIVING…dealing with short-term operational needs and processes whilst strictly controlling costs and watching the budget V.’s LEADERSHIP, which is about: GROWTH… to be achieved through identifying new (and possibly risky) ventures that could be the basis for future income (and perhaps losses)
MANAGEMENT is about: MANAGING… instructing, allocating, delegating, following up, organizing and directing V.’s LEADERSHIP, which is about: LEADING… inspiring, helping, encouraging teamwork, coaching, supporting and aligning
MANAGEMENT is about: ADMINISTRATING… overseeing activities, processes & individual tasks, control & supervision V.’s LEADERSHIP, which is about: PLANNING…seeking process improvement, implementing change, agreeing goals and empowering followers
DO YOU NEED LEADERS, MANAGERS… OR BOTH, TWO HEADS… ONE BODY?
Worth a thought!
Ric www.orglearn.org
Thanks for all the comments! Some nagagers have leadership skills and others have not so many. In the latter case, what is required is a redirection fo thought and action. It's very different, noe-to-the-grindstone vs leadership!
Total thumbs up - once again, an excellent resource, Patty. Thought provoking as well. Thanks - Steph
Hi steph! Thanks for coming by and posting!
When I graduated from high school, I believed that the harder you worked and the more you got done well, the higher raises and faster promotions you'd get. I was disapppointed that this was not the case. So, to get ahead, we have to look up from the grindstone and use some vision, as well as work hard. :)
Thanks for the post, it was very comprehensive.
manager is the one who get things done through people while a leader is the one who influence or transact others to attain desired objectives.
I hope you post some stories about/from your blog!
This is great info..well thought out. I believe a manager inspires, leads by example, makes decisions with compassion but not to sacrifice the company in the process; puts people before profit at least some of the time; understands that some may produce to a level of surpassing the management's expectations and allows that to happen by not being territorial.
Many other characteristics...as you have stated....excellent HUB...food for thought. =)
Hello marisuewrites! I appreciate your comments a lot. Good input!
very timely and useful.. I need this for my training...
Glad we could be of help, Benny. Please let us know how it works out for you!
You did a nice job outlining the dilemma that managers face - being in the same role -- too valuable to demote and yet not valuable enough to promote. They're stuck in a "mote" . . . although an effective manager can take pride in being like a good teacher, I believe. They can develop the attributes of others rising up in an organization.
Hi Don, I like your take on the "mote." Good managers are indeed valuable teachers. Thanks so much for visitng!
all managers are leaders or all leaders are managers
Managers can be leaders if the apply them selves to the objectives and vision/goals of the organization. If they are part of the solution they are a part of the problem.
Percy
Sorry for the mis print above. I mean that If a manager is not a part of the solution, then they would be a part of the problem. Strive for excellence.
Thank you , Percy! I believe that increasing numbers of managers are attending leadship seminars and are emerging form the nose-to-the-grindstone-only mode to look up and around with a vision for success. I hope they ALL do this.
"Managers work, while Leaders think and create." Gotta say, thinking and creating is also strenuous WORK! Laugh! Jokes aside, this is very informative. In my experience, though, some managers have aptitude to learn the trade of leadership, but mostly, leaders have it in them. Regardless, it's great that some of the "qualities" of leadership can actually be learned. This ought to help a lot of managers! Well done!
Another quality hub, excellent tips all managers should know, well done!
a manager can be leader but a leader can not be a manager
I would say that we need to be both a "manager" and a "leader". Two hats, both required for us to perform well. Leadership is about inspiration, management is more about "task focus".
Manager Leader
very good, I support you, come on , welcome to my hub!
gud
"Managers often think in terms of production and Leaders think in terms of the future."
What a great qoute. This is a good hub. It's great to read others who see the difference and are wanting to empower others.
A manager does things the right way while a leader does the right things.
A manager thinks on terms of this is what i want to happen?
A leader would say this is where we are going and this is how I see us getting there, what are your suggestions to getting there? Thinking like this will not only show a future vision and also inspires the team by makeing them part of the solution to makeing the future goals.
Management is how the world is today... Leadership is how we would like the world tomorrow!
I think manager has subbodinates under him whiles a leader has followers
Good Hub....My 2 cents....I think a manager has employees working for him doing as he/she says never questioning just doing..While a good manaager aks questions takes suggestions and ultimatly leads his CO-WORKERS to success.
Praise in public.... Disipline in private
You are correct. A good manager inspires and has a productive workforce.
wow... this article helped me a lot in my assignment!! thanks for your brilliant ideas patty.. =)
Thanks for reading and making great comments, Friends!
kat go - It is awesome that this page could help you with an assignment.
Hazok says:
2 years ago
Excellent as always. thanks.