Leadership and Management.

 

What is the difference between a leader and a manager? The debate goes on and so here are some arguments and thoughts

 

“Leaders inspire their followers to take risks”

 

“Managers know how to write business plans, while leaders get companies - and people - to change”

 

Whereas leaders have long-term and future-oriented perspectives and provide a vision for their followers that looks beyond their immediate surroundings, managers take short-term perspectives and focus on routine issues within their own immediate departments or groups. Leaders, but now managers, are charismatic and can create a sense of excitement and purpose in their followers.

 

The debate suggests that for those who draw a distinction between leaders and managers, leaders demonstrate attributes that allow them to energize their followers, whereas managers simply take care of the mundane and routine details. Both are necessary for organizations to function, and one cannot replace the other. However, effective managers can often be considered leaders.

 

Thus, any manager who guides a group toward goal accomplishment can be considered a leader, and any good leader must perform many management functions. Much of the distinction between management and leadership comes from the fact that the title leader assumes competence. Consequently, an effective and successful manager can be considered a leader, but a less competent manager is not a leader.