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.
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.
CG4D Definition
Context: Business
Genus: Skill
- 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.