What is the Difference Between Leadership and Management?
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.
- Clear purpose (goal setting).
- Clear and persuasive communication skills.
- Planning skills; rational organisation of people and time.
- Managing conflict and performance management skills.
- Inspire self.
- 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.
Leadership and Management Skills Training
If you would like to develop all six leadership and management skills, then please attend our excellent two-day leadership and management training course.
Definition: Leadership
Leadership, in business, is the skill of setting a clear goal and sharing it in a way people understand and feel. A leader fires up both self and team to act and keeps all action working towards the goal until it is met.
Show CG4D Definition
- Sets a single, clear future goal
- Speaks the goal in simple, moving words
- Lifts own and others' drive to act
- Directs shared action until the goal is real
Article Summary
Leadership sets the direction and moves hearts, management organises people and time; when one person unites both through purpose, clear talk, planning, fair conflict control and daily inspiration, Gallup shows profit climbs 21 %, proving the six shared skills turn vision into results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions that frequently get asked about this topic during our training sessions.
What is the main difference between leadership and management?
Why can a good manager still struggle with leadership?
Which six core skills are shared by leaders and managers?
Which leadership skills receive the greatest focus?
Which management skills take priority for managers?
Can one person combine leadership and management effectively?
How does clear goal setting link leadership and management?
Thought of something that's not been answered? Ask Us Today!
Did You Know: Key Statistics
Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace 2024 reports that teams who rate their manager as both a strong leader and an effective organiser post 21% higher profit and 17% higher output than teams led by managers who lack either skill. LinkedIn’s UK Workplace Learning Report 2024 shows that 64% of firms name ‘leadership and people-management training’ as their top learning goal for 2024, up from 52% in 2023.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
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How to Find the Root Causes of Business Problems
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The Language of the leader (Rhetorical communication)
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Three Major Keys to Leadership
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Leadership Training Skills: The Magnificent Seven Questions
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