10 Key Differences between Leaders and Managers

Published reports in Google News are an eye-opener. If you Google leadership crisis, youll get about 9,000 search results for business and the public sector. If you enter the key words, management crisis, youll see close to 17,000 results. These figures can vary, but you get the idea. Further queries underscore the need for growth in many professionals, but there seems to be some confusion in understanding the difference between leadership and management. True, leaders can manage and managers can lead. Hopefully, managers can display leadership qualities. Conversely, leadership efforts can help in management. But the news accounts show that some leaders dont manage and many managers dont provide leadership. So, my sense is that its possible to develop a balance sheet there are basic differences between the two. In essence, heres the salient distinction: It boils down to how professionals inspire their staffs and other stakeholders. Attributes of a leader: 1. Studies, and develops ideas and principles 2. Innovates 3. Resourceful and looks for solutions to problems 4. Empathetic with a focus on people 5. Inspires trust among stakeholders 6. Understands the big picture 7. Superior listening skills 8. Challenges the state of affairs, and asks why and what can be improved 9. Looks for opportunities to develop strengths 10. Develops a following Attributes of a manager: 1. Administrates 2. Accepts the status quo 3. Pragmatic in accepting trends and events, but goes no further 4. Focus is on control, structure and systems 5. Has a linear perspective only follows whats at the end of her/his nose 6. Asks a limited set of questions just how or when? 7. Acts like a chameleon or imitator of other managers 8. Perceives threats 9. Minimizes weaknesses 10. Manages subordinates but has few, if any, devotees

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