This paper gives an in depth understanding of the difference between managers and leaders. It basically undertakes this through an emphasis on the rationality and control.
Management encompasses the rational analysis of a situation and procedurally prioritizing goals and purposes. It involves methodical organization of strategies to accomplish a set goal. Goal achievement nevertheless entails the organization of pertinent resources, balanced design, setting course, and control of activities. Besides, people must be motivated to do these activities. Simply put, a manager is a problem solver. However, leadership requires the use of power to manipulate the people’s way of thinking and their actions hence change the status quo of an organization to achieve results. A leader gets control of himself and the people he leads.
Leaders and mangers differences stem from their conceptions. As opposed to leaders, managers perceive work as a process that is part and parcel of people and ideas hence geared towards goals and decision making. They undertake value addition in the process. For instance, they determine the conflicting interests and shell any divisive events to minimize tensions. Also, managers’ flexibility is undoubted. They employ devices like negotiation and bargain, on the one hand, and punish and reward to improve performance at the same time. From the point of human relations, managers have subordinates and exercise formal authority over them. They employ authoritarian and transactional style to get things done according to their orders. They work for a reward. They are compensated to accomplish tasks. However, they are risks averts.
On the contrary, leaders have followers and not subordinates. Leading demand following which is not complaisant to the manager’s authoritative and transactional style. They however employ charismatic transformational style which helps them inspire followers to accomplish tasks. They focus on task achievement, but only via by inspiring followers to work towards their vision. Contrary to managers, they are risk seekers. They take calculated risks in pursuit of their vision.
Therefore, managers need to be leaders as well. In their organization of strategies to accomplish a goal, they need charisma that will motivate workers to feel part and parcel of the whole process of achieving the goal. Besides, they need to manipulate peoples’ way of thinking and actions to change a company’s goal achievement methodology. Therefore leadership is essential.
References
Alan Murray. (2011). “What is the Difference Between Management and Leadership?” The Wall Street Journal Guide to Management. Harper Business, Dow Jones & Company. Retrieved at http://guides.wsj.com/management/developing-a-leadership-style/what-is-the-difference-between-management-and-leadership/
Gary D. Foster. (2011). The Difference Between Leaders and Managers. ChurchLeaders.com. Retrieved at http://www.churchleaders.com/index.php?news=140034/
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