Introduction
Across various business and economic spheres, the words “leader” and “manager” are often used interchangeably. While these concepts can exist in symbiosis, good managers are not always great leaders and vice versa. Understanding the fundamental differences and similarities in function, responsibilities, and personal traits can explain this contradiction and provide strategies for improving one’s leadership or management skills. Leaders and managers differ in their function and approaches but share the same personal traits; developing these traits can assist an individual to successfully become both a strong leader and a great manager.
Differences in Function, Responsibilities, and Traits
Function
While both managers and leaders ensure the final objective is met, their function without an organization differs. Leadership can be defined as the ability to “articulate and embody a vision […] and enable others to share and achieve them” (Cole, 2018, p.262). On the other hand, management involves “leading a project from its inception to execution” (Liphadzi et al., 2017, p.479). Leaders design and communicate their vision, while managers employ organization and planning to make the vision come true.
Responsibilities
Leaders establish and clarify the direction for the rest of the team by presenting the overarching idea and outlining the strategies for its achievement. Without good leadership, the differences in how each team member envisions the problem and the solutions can quickly result in conflict (Liphadzi et al., 2017). Good leaders avoid this scenario by providing a unified approach and explaining the reasons behind a particular decision. While leaders establish the broader idea, managers break it down into smaller tasks, which they then delegate to the appropriate subordinates. They provide structure to a project through planning, setting timelines, and budgeting (Liphadzi et al., 2017). Without managers, the leader’s vision might remain just a vision work (Azad et al., 2017). If the tasks cannot be efficiently organized and allocated, the project will often fall apart due to the lack of structure. However, without strong leadership, a manager might not be able to convey the broader vision onto the team, which will lack direction and a sense of satisfaction in their work.
Traits
Despite the key differences in function, for a successful organization, strong leadership and management are interchangeable, and senior roles usually require individuals to display both skills. Good leaders and managers both possess similar traits that, uncoincidentally, stem directly from their responsibilities. Firstly, both roles require communication skills to successfully coordinate the team, elaborate the reasons behind the tasks, and resolve any arising conflicts. Secondly, both leaders and managers need to be decisive; if they cannot make timely and effective decisions, the projects will lack direction or will not adhere to timelines. Finally, the lack of integrity will impede the team from following leadership (Cole, 2018). Acting with integrity will facilitate good working relationships, build trust, and empower the team to behave with more integrity in return (Dugan, 2017). If the management does not consistently behave in accordance with ethics and principles, the team will begin to question its credibility.
Conclusion
Leaders and managers differ in their general approach and function; leaders inspire the team by outlining their vision, while managers execute the vision through structuring and planning. Despite the difference in function, both possess the same essential traits, such as decisiveness, integrity, and the ability to communicate. For a successful organization, individuals who can simultaneously envision an idea and effectively accomplish it are of great importance. Thus, developing the essential traits that correspond to both a strong leader and a great manager will be a strategic advantage to any employee.
References
Azad, N., Anderson, H. G., Brooks, A., Garza, O., O’Neil, C., Stutz, M. M., & Sobotka, J. L. (2017). Leadership and management are one and the same. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 81(6), 1–5. Web.
Cole, K. (2018). Leadership and Management: Theory and Practice (7th ed.). Cengage.
Dugan, J.P. (2017). Leadership Theory: Cultivating Critical Perspectives. Jossey-Bass.
Liphadzi, M., Aigbavboa, C. O., & Thwala, W. D. (2017). A Theoretical Perspective on the Difference between Leadership and Management. Procedia Engineering, 196, 478–482. Web.