Leadership Skills-Difference Between Management And Leadership

n the real world, there is actually a very thin line that differentiates management from leadership. Both, in fact, can represent two sides of the same coin. It is, however, in the concept that leadership and management differ. Management without the vision of leadership, and leadership without the aspect of management is doomed to fail. That is why the notion of management and leadership is always used interchangeably. While leadership, with its far reaching vision, can take ideas forward, it is management, with its order and rationality, which ensures the proper transportation of those ideas. Thus, effective leaders must have the basic managerial skills, while the top managers must be leaders in their own right so that their ideas, objectives and tasks can be effectively resolved. But, management and leadership are broad terms and there are perhaps very few who can claim to be good managers as well as great leaders. For the rest, to imbibe the aspects of these two, learning their slight differences can help in fusing the skills of both, so that one can become both a manager and a leader in his/her own right. Given below in the article are the differences between management and leadership that can serve one in good stand in every state of life. Read further to know more.

 

Management Vs Leadership

 

Management

• In management, the implementation of the work is more important. As such, management relies very little on any sort of vision.
• Management is very effective in adapting to change. It is very rarely that management takes the initiative to bring in a change.
• Technique and order is the main preoccupation of management, while adapting to the culture.
• The main principle of management is to empower itself.
• The actions that are taken in management are mostly skill based.
• Management depends upon the structure of the organization. The attitudes and behavior depends upon the level or position. As such, management is more protective of information and knowledge.
• Self preservation is the main key in management. Thus, the growth is relatively limited. Though management considers strength and weaknesses, it is unable to use them to get to their goals.
• Management focuses more on the goals that is set by others. The work is independent, but is confined to the organizational limit. Management also envisages limited relationships.
• Management is concerned with distributing the areas of responsibility and to the work that the team members do. They also become a part of the system.

Leadership

• Leadership depends entirely on vision. The birth of the vision is the actual birth of a leader.
• Leadership works towards bringing a change by taking the initiative in anticipating the change.
• A leader works towards bringing about a change in the culture or setting. He/she understands the dynamics of the situation.
• Unlike management, leadership is concerned more with empowering others.
• Strong character is the prerequisite in any form of leadership. But any leadership action requires specific skills.
• Leadership tries in every way to work towards a positive aspect. It is not bothered by negative consequences, but more with positive possibilities.
• Vision and persuasion is used to advance ideas and is not confined to the level or position of the leader. Leadership does not depend on the organization, but helps in building and reshaping the organization.
• Understanding the strength and weaknesses is an important part of the leadership. Also, mistakes are an important part of growth.
• Interdependence is followed religiously. Personal goals form an integral part of organizational growth which, in turn, fosters growth for both the employees and the company as a whole.