IT IS COMMON TO SEE THE WORDS management and leadership used in place of one another. This is understandable but doing so causes an important distinction to be lost. As a manager you need to both manage and lead but it is vital that you understand the difference.
At the risk of oversimplifying the difference, management is about controlling and leadership is about inspiring. Figure 10-1 expands on the distinctions.
FIGURE 10-1. MANAGEMENT VS. LEADERSHIP |
|
MANAGEMENT |
LEADERSHIP |
• More top down and directive • More structured • Focuses on methods • More directive • More focused on correcting • Determines methods |
• More bottom up and participative • Less structured • Focuses on exceptions • More of a coaching dynamic • More focused on affirming • Establishes goals then lets team members determine their methods |
The more you grow as a manager the more you will be able to use leadership methods. Doing so needs to be among your goals. As the workforce becomes better educated, informed, and transient, managers who are not also inspirational in their methods will be at a disadvantage.