Have you ever really thought about the difference between managing and leading? Recently, I visited a new client who felt they needed leadership training and not management training. When I asked him what the difference was, he mentioned that management was more about having a title with responsibility in an area and covering the basics like scheduling the workload. He said that leaders could be managers but leaders were different in that they furthered the organization by being a good role model, helping others and adding value to the organization.

What an interesting response and great question for this week's newsletter.

Great reading,

Diane

                             Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things."

                                                                                                                        Peter Drucker

My definition of leadership over the years has been "doing good things through people." As you can see from this definition, managers and leaders both are capable of doing good things through people. So is there really a difference? My first response is no. Most people use these words interchangeably without giving them much thought but I do believe there are subtle differences that may be difficult to see and feel but nonetheless are real.

I agree with Peter Drucker's quote above to a point. Most managers or supervisors are good at doing things right or to use a metaphor "getting the ship ready." By this I mean directing and supporting workers to clean the deck, straighten the chairs and batten down the hatches. These managers are not always aware of what is happening outside the ship, i.e., a huge ice berg is approaching. They may not have access to environmental information or they may not know they need to have this knowledge. Most leaders are more in tune to scanning the environment for challenges and opportunities and they look forward to what is coming next. They are in tune to the icebergs ahead because they are so interested in what is ahead and the risk it may involve to move around it or acquire it.

Some people are gifted to have the ability to both manage and lead. They are able to see where the ship needs to go and have the ability to make sure the ship is in order when it arrives. The goal of an organization is not to make all managers into leaders but rather determining which positions need more management and which positions need more risk-taking leadership.

Question for You:

Do you use these two terms interchangeably? Does it make a difference in your workplace? Would it help to see these words differently as you offer training and support to grow your managers into leaders? Should all managers be leaders?

Action for You:

Begin to observe those in your organization that you consider to be leaders. What do they do differently from those you consider to be managers? In the end a successful organization needs managers and leaders and people who can do both.

                  "The manager accepts the status quo; the leader challenges it."

                                                             Warren Bennis