Introduction
In corporate culture, managers and leaders have different functions. Managers are responsible for delivering the company’s products and services and making decisions based on the proposed plan. They have authority and responsibility for their projects and teams. Leaders, on the other hand, are responsible for creating the plan and strategy. They develop long-term goals and motivate and teach their teams and subordinates to implement their plans.
Comparing Attributes of Leaders and Managers
Although managers and leaders have different roles and functions, some are compatible. For example, managers can use the theory of unanticipated circumstances to improve the organization’s efficiency and motivate their employees. Leaders can use chaos theory to create an adaptive platform for introducing new ideas into the organization. In both cases, managers and leaders work on improving efficiency and working more effectively (Verawati & Hartono, 2020).
The different types of leadership styles, such as transformational, transactional, and situational, show the different approaches leaders and managers take to accomplish their goals. Transformational leadership is focused on inspiring and motivating a team to reach their potential and achieve a higher level of performance (Verawati & Hartono, 2020). Transactional leadership focuses on setting goals and expectations and providing rewards and punishments to ensure the team meets those goals. Situational leadership is focused on adapting to different situations and adjusting the leader’s style and approach to meet the team’s needs.
Authority and power are two different things, similar but different. Authority is the respect that people have for a person or organization. It can be obtained through accomplishments, long-term reputation, or providing services. Conversely, power is the ability to coerce (Verawati & Hartono, 2020). It is what people or organizations have to pursue their interests. It is usually provided through privileges, legislative rights, and the right to use physical force.
Management theories such as contingency theory, chaos theory, and systems theory assist managers and leaders in comprehending the complexities of their teams and the work environment they operate within. Contingency theory postulates that a leader or manager’s effectiveness is shaped by the specific situation they find themselves in and that different strategies may be necessary to achieve the desired results (Verawati & Hartono, 2020b). Chaos theory states that a leader or manager must understand and accept that there may be no clear answers or solutions to specific problems and that improvisation and creativity may be necessary to achieve a successful outcome (Joullié et al., 2021). Systems theory states that the effectiveness of a leader or manager is determined by their ability to balance the needs of the organization with the needs of their team.
I have collaborated with leaders who possess authority but lack power and others who have power but no authority. For example, I worked in an academic organization under the direction of a professor with high authority in the scientific world. However, he had no power to make organizational decisions (Verawati & Hartono, 2020). I also had a business leader who had much power but needed high authority. In general, authority and power differ; having one does not necessarily mean having the other (Joullié et al., 2021). My acquaintance with leaders who have authority but no power and vice versa has helped me better understand the differences between authority and power.
Conclusion
In conclusion, managers and leaders have distinct roles requiring different approaches and skills. Different types of leadership styles and management theories can help managers and leaders understand the complexities of their teams and the environment in which they work. The difference between authority and power is an essential concept for managers and leaders to understand, and it is important to realize that the two are not always linked. Last but not least, I have worked under leaders who have both authority and power, as well as those who have both. It is evident that a manager’s or leader’s efficacy depends on the circumstances surrounding them.
References
Verawati, D. M., & Hartono, B. (2020). Effective Leadership: From The Perspective of Trait Theory and Behavior Theory. Journal REKOMEN (Riset Ekonomi Manajemen), 4(1), 13–23. Web.
Joullié, J., Gould, A. M., Spillane, R., & Luc, S. (2021). The language of power and authority in leadership. Leadership Quarterly, 32(4). Web.