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What is the Difference Between Leadership and Management?

What is the Difference Between Leadership and Management?

What is the Difference Between Leadership and Management?

“Leadership sets the direction, management lays the track; modern teams move fastest when the same person can do both.” – Chris Farmer, Lead Trainer, Corporate Coach Group

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.

Leadership and Management : What is the Difference Between Leadership and Management?

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
Context: Business
Genus: skill
Differentia:
  • 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

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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

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

  • Women in Leadership
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  • 20 Key Elements for Leadership Skills
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  • Effective Leadership Management Training
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  • Effective Leadership
    Discover six traits that turn management into effective leadership: clear vision, crisp words, solid plans, calm dispute, self drive and power to inspire teams.
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  • Inspirational Leadership
    Discover how inspirational leadership uses positive language and emotional intelligence to motivate with optimism, raise engagement and drive higher team output
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Looking for Leadership and Management Training?

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