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 Skills of Leadership
  Good leadership requires more than superior levels of technical knowledge of your product or service. How you can improve your performance as a leader.
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• Leadership Training Courses for Managers
  When looking for good leadership training courses for managers, you need to ensure that the following crucial skills are covered: goal-setting, clear communication, time planning, handing poor performance, self-motivation and inspiring others.
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• Leadership Training: Personal Initiative
  All great leaders have personal initiative. They don't wait for circumstances to be right; instead leaders create the right circumstances by taking action, on their own volition.
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• Management Skills for New Managers
  Management Skills for New Managers Training for the new manager is important because they are often facing a unique set of problems; The new managers are often trying to manage people who have always known them as a NON manager, so the new manager needs to earn the respect of team...
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