If you’re like many people, the lines of management and leadership can seem blurred, and at times appear to be one of the same thing. What really counts is how effective a manager is as a leader, and its impact on how well things get done.
It’s all too easy to confuse management titles, qualifications and experience with actual leadership ability. What’s really important for your success is:
- being the leader who can build a great team that are truly committed to your succeess;
- being clear on your vision, goals and purpose, and
- sharing this with others persuasively and in an inspiring way so together, great things can be achieved.
Let’s face it. We’ve all come across managers with amazing technical knowledge that struggle with motivating teams. In contrast, there are the team superstars, without title, that shine the way for others. One may be in a management position, but the other is a leader.
So, to be a better manager, becoming a better leader needs to be part of the solution.
We can help you to learn how to be a better leader, and close the manager-leader skills gap. Understanding the difference between management and leadership helps.
Here’s a simple way of distinguishing the two:
Management is
• Process-based, and
• About making the most of the available resources.
Leadership is about
• Knowing where you are headed
• Aligning teams with you, and
• Building relationships and communicating in a way so others can follow.
You lead people and you manage agreements.
To drill it down even further…..
“A leader is the one who climbs the tallest tree,
surveys the entire situation, and yells, “Wrong Jungle!”
– Stephen Covey.
A manager is concerned with what needs to happen using what is on hand for the safari camp to be shifted. It’s the leadership skills of the manager that gets everyone working together to get packed, moving, and headed to the right jungle.
Leadership and management are broad concepts, and do go hand in hand depending upon the situation.
One thing is for sure, teaming up management training with leadership development is essential when it comes to improving management success.
