Leadership - Leaders and managers
Leaders and managers
General
What is the difference between a leader and a manager. Are the attributes for each the same.
Many would argue that many managers are also leaders or potential leaders. Many leaders may have been managers.
Others might argue that there is very little difference.
A leader is much more than the head of a group of people he has to motivate individuals so that they follow the vision he or she sets out.
All managers should be leaders by virtue of managing people but it is not always the case.
There are no hard and fast rules that will make you a good leader but there are a few qualities that would be considered as best practice. Few will be brilliant in all areas but it is wise to be aware of the qualities needed.
Leadership qualities
- They are proactive and shape ideas rather than reacting to events.
- They will look for fresh methods rather than manage utilising existing techniques.
- A leader will make sure that the necessary resources exist to maximise team performance.
- The title of leader and the individual displaying leadership may be a factor of the situation.
- Leadership within the military may be ‘command’ but termed ‘management’ in an industrial setting.
- Leadership is generic across many situations.
- A manager may ‘tell’ but a leader will ‘coach’.
- A manager may try to rule by force and fear but a leader will encourage, motivate and gain trust.
- The manager focuses on his or her own needs saying ‘I’. The leader considers others and uses ‘we’.
- A manager may cultivate a blame culture whilst the leader looks for solutions and expects mistakes.
- The manager may tell you what should be done and how to do it but offers no help. The leader tends to show a person how to do it.
- The leader does not exhibit power due to his or her position alone but tries to influence.
- Leaders are competent at delegation many managers are not.
- The proactive manager will always have more time to consider options and contingency plans.
- Leaders create and sustain activity to achieve a vision managers just help to get there.
- If there are no followers you are a manager and not a leader.
- Leaders handle appraisals constructively and comfortably.
- Leaders give praise generously.
- Managers like processes and leaders consider method.
- Leaders inspire, managers keep the team going.
- Good leaders know their staff by name and talk to them.
- Managers may be more rigid and a leader more flexible in their approach.
- The manager’s approach may be based upon historically dated techniques but a leader looks forward.
- A leader has good ‘time management’ skills.
- Leaders display enthusiasm.
- Leaders have integrity.
- Leaders come over as human while doing what is necessary for the good of the organisation or team.
- A leader displays plenty of self confidence.
- Leaders will show humility.
These are some of the qualities that make a leader but will not be exhaustive.