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Many years go by before an Executive clearly understands the differences between Leadership and Management. This is out of the lot of a lucky few who get an opportunity to understand and identify clearly whether they are in a Leadership Role or a Management Role.

 

In Corporates, this is done through a conscious effort to nurture talent and identify ‘high-pots’ (individuals with high potential of becoming a Leader). These ‘high-pots’ are then put through rigorous Training and Evaluation before they are able to Lead. So the difference between Leadership and Management is quite clear to them. Not so much in Family owned Corporations. In Industry, there are no ‘born-Leaders’ and neither are there ‘born-Managers’. Both require qualification, special skills and experience. Both are essential to the success of any Organisation.

 

Leadership versus Management differentiation, although done relatively easily, is complex because many people are both. Sadly, the converse is also true, many people, required to have one of the traits, show neither.

 

The Manager has the unfortunate paradox of controlling systems, resource and standards, ensure that everything works to plan and that all is in order. But that is not all. He also has to lead teams to achieve unchartered boundaries and evolve new ways of working. The practical situation is that ‘A Good Manager is required to be a Good Leader.’

There are also confusing terminologies used every day in Organisations. ‘Leadership Trainings’ are planned for various levels of employees to build good Managers!

 

It is therefore necessary to understand the main difference in the Role, Focus, Approach, Methodology, Style/Tone and Outcome of Leadership and Management.

 

Role: Leadership’s Role is that of a Visionary and Strategic Thinker. Management’s Role is that of an Enterprise Builder, a Productivity Expert.

Focus: Leadership Defines Purpose, Sets Direction. Management Nurtures Organisational Structure, Establishes Systems and Procedures.

Approach: Leadership creates a Mission Statement. Management Delivers on the Mission Statement.

Methodology: Leadership Evaluates Strengths, Needs and Marketplace. Management Organises Teams, Plans Budgets, Sets Timelines and Maintains Quality.

Style/Tone: Leadership Inspires People, Fosters Commitment. Management Develops Talent, Solves Problems.

Outcome: Leadership has Long-Range Goals and Objectives as Outcome. Management manages Projects Effectively and Efficiently.

 

While there are many traits that make up a strong Leader, some key characteristics are:

• Vision – should know the present state of the Organisation, the plan for the future and enroll a suitable team for charting a path for achieving the future goals.

• Honesty & Integrity - these are crucial to get people to trust the Leader and buy in to the journey for which they are being taken along.

• Inspiration – should inspire the team to do all they can by making sure they understand their role in the bigger picture

• Ability to Challenge – should not be afraid to challenge the status quo, do things differently and have the courage to think outside the box

• Communication Skills – should keep the team informed of the journey, where the company is, where it is heading and share any roadblocks that may be encountered along the way

 

Some key characteristics of a strong Manager are:

• Being Able to Execute a Vision – should take a strategic vision and break it down into a roadmap to be followed by the team

• Ability to Direct-  should plan for day-to-day work, review resources needed and anticipate needs along the way

• Process Management- should establish work rules, processes, standards and operating procedures

• People-Focused- should look after the people, their needs, listen to them and involve them

 

Finally, ask yourself this question:

Are you a leader or a manager or both? What would your staff say if you were to ask them?