...Probably one of the most intriguing debates in recent times. This is a question that has been asked more than once and also answered in different ways. I've often heard these terms being used interchangeably however, the distinction between the two has become evident with my current role.
IMO, the biggest difference between managers and leaders is the way they motivate the people who work or follow them, and this sets the tone for most other aspects of what they do.
Many people, by the way, are both! They have management jobs, but they realize that you cannot buy hearts, especially to follow them down a difficult path, and so act as leaders too.
Leadership is doing the right thing whereas, Management is doing things right!
Demonstrating good leadership skills without the management skills to support it, will leave you with an inability to operationalize your visions. Likewise, being a good manager without good leadership skills will cause continual challenges in motivating your team and producing the results you are trying to manage to. Being able to blend these two styles is truly a unique skill set.
I have seen many Project Managers focusing only on the management aspect and neglect the leadership aspect while executing projects. A project is more than scope, money and time. Keep in mind there are an abundance of managers in the world but very few truly embody the characteristics of a leader.
Subject
|
Leader
|
Manager
|
Essence
|
Change
|
Stability
|
Focus
|
Leading people
|
Managing work
|
Have
|
Followers
|
Subordinates
|
Horizon
|
Long-term
|
Short-term
|
Seeks
|
Vision
|
Objectives
|
Approach
|
Sets direction
|
Plans detail
|
Decision
|
Facilitates
|
Makes
|
Power
|
Personal charisma
|
Formal authority
|
Appeal to
|
Heart
|
Head
|
Energy
|
Passion
|
Control
|
Culture
|
Shapes
|
Enacts
|
Dynamic
|
Proactive
|
Reactive
|
Persuasion
|
Sell
|
Tell
|
Style
|
Transformational
|
Transactional
|
Exchange
|
Excitement for work
|
Money for work
|
Likes
|
Striving
|
Action
|
Wants
|
Achievement
|
Results
|
Risk
|
Takes
|
Minimizes
|
Rules
|
Breaks
|
Makes
|
Conflict
|
Uses
|
Avoids
|
Direction
|
New roads
|
Existing roads
|
Truth
|
Seeks
|
Establishes
|
Concern
|
What is right
|
Being right
|
Credit
|
Gives
|
Takes
|
Blame
|
Takes
|
Blames
|
