The Difference Between Management and Leadership
posted by Anna Mar, December 30, 2012Management and leadership are the two most important words in the vocabulary of business.
They both have a variety of styles, strategies and techniques that endlessly overlap. It can be difficult to tell where management ends and leadership begins.
Key differences include:
1. Leaders set direction, managers implement
Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.Leadership is about developing a strategy and then influencing and motivating people to execute that strategy.
~ Peter Drucker
Management is about translating a strategy into action. Planning and organizing a team and a budget to achieve business goals.
2. Leaders Answer Why, Managers Answer How
Leaders focus on directional questions such as what and why. Managers focus on implementation questions such as who, when, where and how.3. Leadership is Focused on Strategy, Management is More Tactical
There's a big difference between strategy and tactics. A strategy is master plan for an organization, department or program. Tactics are quick wins that take advantage of opportunities as they appear.Strategy is largely a leadership activity. Tactics happen close to the action — it's more of a management activity.
4. Leadership Relies on Influence, Management Relies on Authority
An effective leader can walk into a situation in which they have no authority and still influence and motivate people to follow a direction.Management relies on well defined authority. For example, a manager may have authority to evaluate and discipline employees who report to her.
5. Leadership is General, Management is Specific
Leaders define direction. They tend to focus on the big-picture.Managers ensure that teams follow direction. They focus on implementation details.
6. Leadership is Creative, Management is Productive
Leadership is primarily a creative activity — leaders seek innovation.Management is primarily a productive activity — managers seek results.
7. Leadership vs Management Verbs
The best verbs to describe leadership are innovate, influence and motivate.The best verbs to describe management are plan, organize, coordinate, direct and control.
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