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.

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Further Reading in Leadership and Management

• How to tell Truth from Falsehood
  More on how to tell truth from falsehood - Part Two On 22nd April 2014 I posted a blog where I suggested that the practice of "keeping an open mind" is not a good practice. Since there is only one reality, there is, and there can only be, one true idea...
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• The Importance of Self-Control in Leadership
  Do you have what it takes to be a good leader? Try our quick quiz to find out if you have the right qualities to be a leader.
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• Leadership Skills: Keep Calm and Carry On
  Irrespective of your thoughts on whether or not Brexit is good or bad, the fact is that the UK will soon be making its negotiations to leave the EU and we need to succeed.
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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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• Management Problems
  The three major reasons for management problems are: other people, poor systems and mother nature. In order to manage effectively, we need to develop our management skills.
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