Management V/s Leadership

"A leader is best when people barely know he exists

Not so good when people obey and acclaim him

Worse if they despise him

But of a good leader who talks little, when his work is done

His aim is fulfilled, they will say

'We did it ourselves.'"

~Lao-Tzu~

Many people & organizations do not grasp the difference between management and leadership. They take into granted that both imply to the same position, to the person in authority in a given organization, and that both entail the same qualities that this person should possess.

However, vast amount of research has been done to prove that there is significant difference in both terminologies and that being a manager doesn't really imply that the person has the qualities to be a leader at the same time.

Here is a small table that illustrates the basic differences between a manager & a leader:

MANAGER LEADER

Planning & Budgeting Establishing Direction

Organizing & Staffing Aligning People

Controlling & Problem Solving Motivating & Inspiring

In our societies, we are always faced with organizational managers that know the basic steps in managing jobs but lack qualities in managing people; that have short-term insights and are bound to short-term profit making that they forget the long term survival of the organization; that have controlling issues that makes them forget the importance of motivation and empowerment at work; and the list continues.

Rarely do we meet leaders who go beyond the management duties to more interpersonal & emotional level of managing people; who posses integrity & trust; who act as role models for their employees; who motivate & empower their employees rather than control them; who provide mission and direction.

The presence of leadership at the head of the organization increases morale, motivation, job satisfaction, productivity & performance. For leadership creates and communicates vision, insight & understanding; makes behavior matching to beliefs & values; and introduces change when necessary and makes it long-lasting.

While, the lack of leadership in our organizations has resulted in high turnover rates, ineffective organizational cultures, and rigid structure.

In order to enhance our organizations, we need effective & transformational leadership.

The problem with our organizations is that