What is the Difference Between Leadership and Management?

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What is the Difference Between Leadership and Management?

Would you agree that it is possible for a person to be a good manager, but lack leadership skills?

Probably, yes.

So, we can say that leadership and management are similar, but different concepts.

Both the leaders and managers need the following six core skills.

1. Clear purpose (goal setting).
2. Clear and persuasive communication skills.
3. Planning skills; rational organisation of people and time.
4. Managing conflict and performance management skills.
5. Inspire self.
6. Inspire others.

The difference between leadership and management is one of emphasis.

Leaders specialise in clear goal setting, persuasive communication skills, inspiring self and inspiring others.

Managers specialise in rational organisation of people and time and managing conflict and performance management skills.

So, we can give the following definitions:

Definition of leadership:

Leadership is the art of creating and communicating a clear vision, in a way that inspires others to work together, to achieve it.

Definition of management:

Management is the art of planning and organising people and resources, and managing performance and internal conflicts, in order to achieve the goals that have been set (by the leadership team).

Ideally:

Leaders should also have well-developed people management skills.

Managers should have well-developed leadership qualities.

Sadly, some don't.

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If you would like to develop all six leadership and management skills, then please attend our excellent two-day leadership and management training course.

About the Author: Chris Farmer

Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years’ experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.

Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.

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Further Reading in Leadership and Management

• Leadership qualities: self control
  Leadership qualities: self control Many organisations are interested in developing some of their people into future leaders; so many organisations are interested in identifying potential leaders; which are those people who show good promise and will be worthy of further investment. Organisations need to identify those people who have leadership qualities...
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• Seven ways to become a better leader
  Improve your leadership qualities and put your career on the path to success. Leadership is not just telling people what to do, it is having a vision for the future, making plans and inspiring the team.
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• Inspirational Leadership
  Can you take the Inspirational Leadership Challenge? Learn to motivate with optimism not fear; Use the right language to inspire positive emotions in others, creating visions of a better future; Act with courage and fairness, even during tough times.
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• What is the Skill Will Matrix?
  The Skill Will Matrix helps managers adjust their management style, to successfully manage the different skills and levels of motivation in their workforce.
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• Leadership skills
  Leadership Skills Leadership skills are a unique blend of attributes, and abilities, that, when combined into one person, allows that person, to function as a leader. If the person possesses, by nature, all the attributes and abilities, then we say he/she is lucky to be a born leader. If the person...
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