Differences Between a Leader and a ManagerDifferences Between a Leader and a Manager2.1 INTRODUCTIONDistinction between leadership and management has for long been an interesting subject matter for academicians and industrialists alike. The distinction between the two is a useful one, in that it helps us gain a better understanding of leadership and causes us to reflect on our own behaviour, asking ourselves, whether one is really leading or managing. So what are the differences between managers and leaders?
2.2 DEFINITION“There is a profound difference between management and leadership, and both are important. To manage means to bring about, to accomplish, to have charge of or responsibility for, and to conduct. Leading is influencing, guiding in a direction, course of action and opinion. The distinction is crucial” – Warren Bennis
Leadership and management are not the same thing but they are necessarily linked, and complementary. Leadership and management must go hand in hand. Any effort to separate the two is likely to cause more problems than it solves. The differences in leadership and management have been widely acknowledged but the matter of debate is about the overlap between the two and how these important organizational elements help in driving the business both now and in the future. Is Leadership an important managerial role or management an important leadership role? In spite of efforts made to understand leadership as distinct from management, leadership is also studied as an essential element of management along with planning, organizing, staffing and controlling.
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The Role of the Director
The director of a business is responsible for keeping the business afloat. The director’s role requires the cooperation of a group of three (three) people who can act as supervisors, managers, and managers.
Duties
The director of a business requires many different duties. She will perform these duties by establishing the hierarchy of responsibilities throughout the operation and in the management of the business, with an emphasis on good working conditions, efficiency and quality, and consistency with the corporate business goals. In many ways, she will help the business achieve goals that the company has to achieve in its lives.
Duties can be defined as:
Providing, overseeing, and directing the operations of the business or those that are under management.
Supporting the operations of the business or who have worked as or are close to the business.
Developing communication, planning, and control to support the business and its people.
Supporting the operation of the business, while supporting the overall business mission of the department or a community.
Competing with those individuals who are in charge of the operations of the business.
Developing internal consistency and coherence of its policies relating to the business and how things interact with them and with their customers.
Leadership will be accomplished by:
Identifying key and critical leadership qualities.
Finding a clear separation between leadership and management and working to overcome it.
Developing a common vision based on common values and principles to guide policy decisions and organizational decisions.
Providing a team environment that’s conducive to meeting the needs of the group.
Using the same approach and techniques as management to determine and accomplish the tasks the director and the group will work toward.
The chief manager will be responsible for serving as a facilitator and guidance, and the chief accountant will oversee the management of the business.
The chief accountant and senior vice president will work with any business in an effort to develop financial structures; the chief financial officer can lead by phone; and the chief financial officer and senior vice president to lead by phone, by meeting regularly with the president, and in person whenever needed.
The director/chief accountant must work by regular meetings where the director and the directors meet regularly. The director/chief accountant cannot lead the business on a daily basis but may lead by telephone on a regular basis.
The chief accountant must be required with respect to every matter of responsibility pertaining to the business that the administrator can direct from the business to the chief accountant.
The director must have a clear business plan and may coordinate with other people or in a timely manner with other people, as well as be available during business hours or in the field of business administration.
The business administrator must work on a schedule that is balanced to address the needs of each business. The administrator will do this by implementing a set of tasks to address those needs. The administrator will identify specific tasks to accomplish and to provide effective guidance.
It may be necessary to
2.3 Major Differences Between Leaders and ManagersLeaders and managers are very similar in role responsibilities, yet have very subtle differences. Both roles are instrumental in building strong teams of employees and compliment each other as they work towards the same goals. While there are many similarities to be defined between the two roles, there are a few notable differences which can help to distinguish between a manager and a leader.
It is absolutely necessary to highlight these differences to employees. Perhaps knowing the distinctions between these two roles will help them to better understand their responsibilities as well
The managers job is to plan, organize and coordinate. The leaders job is to inspire and motivate.Leaders are more focused on what will happen in the future if certain actions are taken while managers focus on the present and what would help best for the moment. Managers may make a monthly schedule to handle volume in the store on any particular day while leaders look for innovative ways to better staff the store and drive business. If managers are focused on today, this week and this month, leaders look towards the next 2, 3, and 4 years.
A manager might motivate his staff to make more sales, calls and increase business. Leaders, on the other hand, evaluate different markets and how the sales team can reach those markets (Straker, 2009).
Managers are the rule makers and abiders. They are the government within the business which makes sure that tasks are performed on time and accurately. Rather than “stir the pot” and cause commotion, they would like to maintain a calm business environment. Managers are the employees that do as they are told and rarely go against the organisation. Leaders on the other hand, seize the opportunity to change things as they were to a new practice. Although, both of these authorities work differently it is important to point out that progress can not be made without both of them.
Managers emphasize rationality and control; are problem-solvers (focusing on goals, resources, organization structures, or people); often ask question, “What problems have to be solved, and what are the best ways to achieve results so that people will continue to contribute to this organization?”; are persistent, tough-minded, hard working, intelligent, analytical, tolerant and have goodwill toward others.Leaders Perceived as brilliant, but sometimes lonely; achieve control of themselves before they try to control others; can visualize a purpose and generate value in work; are imaginative, passionate, non-conforming risk-takers.
Managers and leaders have very different attitudes toward goals.Managers adopt impersonal, almost passive, attitudes toward goals; decide upon goals based on necessity instead of desire and are therefore deeply tied to their organizations culture; tend to be reactive since they focus on current information.
Leaders tend to be active since they envision and promote their ideas instead of reacting to current situations; shape ideas instead of responding to them; have a personal orientation toward goals; provide