For firms to function well, strong leadership is key. Yet, the term leadership is too broad. Today, we consider managers versus leaders.
According to vocabulary.com:
“It makes sense that a manager ‘manages.’ Or takes charge of something. While a business manager oversees finances, scheduling, and the everyday operation of the business.”
“A leader is the one in the charge, the person who convinces other people to follow. A great leader inspires confidence in other people. And also moves them to action.”
Other examples related to leadership include these:
- What Makes a Digital Marketing Leader?
- What Managers Should Not Say
- Refocused Purpose of a Corporation
- How to Be Mentally Stronger
What is TRUE Leadership? Managers Versus Leaders
With the preceding in mind, we look at the difference between these two terms.
Thus, we turn to Resourceful Manager for further insights. As well as the infographic that follows:
“Let’s set the record straight. Everyone who is a great leader isn’t necessarily a great manager. And great managers aren’t necessarily great leaders.”
“So when it comes to the Leaders vs. Managers debate, where do you land?”
“Here’s a list of 17 traits that separate leadership and management. Go down the list and check off which ones match you. Most of us have some qualities of each. For example, do you have 10 Leader traits and 7 Manager traits? Or the reverse? Are you happy with the answer?”
For more on leadership, see our FREE Leadership Guide. Plus, check out all of our great infographics.
This infographic is good to explain two ways of guiding your group. However, I think if you want to be a leader, you have to have the ability of a serious manager first. It doesn’t mean that you need to behave all the way like a manager. But when the group comes to risks, opportunities, challenges and problems, the leader should also be thoughtful rather than just Pollyanna.
In my capstone class we had the same discussion on what its like to be a leader vs what its like to be a manager. The misconception that you have to be a manager to be a leader is false and there are leaders who aren’t managers. This infographic is very insightful providing different examples on the differences between the two. Both are needed but there are those that distinguish themselves between one or the other. I consider myself more of a leader than a manager because of my ability to sell a product or idea while inspiring trust, not just earning it.
It is true that good managers do not always lead to good leaders. However, in practice, some leaders are being too optimistic and somehow ‘blindness’ since they do not have the experience of being a manager. The leader in my first job is a nightmare, who always sets goals that are unrealistic and he loves discouraging and dismissing people’s ideas and suggestions. In my point of view, he is trying to create a vibe that is serious and pressured. Thus, although my team members are all very nice and capable, I ultimately choose to quit due to the leaders’ negative impact. Managers and leaders are all very important in a cooperate culture because their personality, charisma and managing style can have huge influences on everyone in the department/company.