Leading vs Managing

Leading vs Managing: What’s the Difference?

Leadership and management are two key elements in any successful business. But how do they differ from each other? In a nutshell, leaders inspire their team to reach greatness, while managers are more concerned with the day-to-day activities necessary to get there. Let’s explore the key differences between leading and managing.

Leading

• Motivating: Leaders are inspiring and motivating in their approach to work. They are excellent communicators and are able to rally and empower a team to reach their potential.
• Visionary: Leaders possess a clear sense of direction and are able to communicate a compelling and inspiring vision for the future.
• Conflict Resolution: Leaders are adept at resolving conflicts that arise within a group. They are able to take a step back and use an objective and logical approach to find the best solution.
• Innovative: Leaders are excellent problem solvers, and actively seek out novel solutions to any challenges they face.

Managing

• Organization: Managers are organized and focused on the details. They drive the execution of the plans created by their leaders and ensure that goals are achieved.
• Planning: Managers are responsible for defining plans, setting priorities, and ensuring that the team has the necessary resources to succeed.
• Decision-Making: Managers are responsible for making the difficult decisions needed to ensure the success of their team.
• Evaluation: Managers are responsible for assessing the performance of their team members, and implementing any necessary changes to help them reach their goals.

As you can see, leaders and managers each have their own unique skillsets. To have a truly successful organization, it is essential to have both. Leaders provide the vision and visionaries, while managers focus on the day-to-day operations required to make that vision a reality. When these roles are effectively combined, anything is possible.