Leadership and Management - Essay Example

Leadership and management are two distinctive functions that an organization should have. They are the Conner stones of the success and growth of an organization. There should be a balance between management and leadership of an organization. Kotter's article has explained that most companies in the United States of America do not have equilibrium in the two different functions. Several corporations within the US put more emphasis and attention on management with little attention on leadership. More successful corporations in the US seek qualified personnel who possess leadership qualities and employ them to take on crucial roles that require the ability to lead well. Such companies balance strong leadership with strong management propelling them to success (Kotter, 2001). 

        Based on the functions that this article has given to leaders and managers; a successful corporation should have more leaders as compared to managers. This article has cited an example of a military set up to explain how leadership is more important than management in an organization. In this example, a peacetime army can succeed with good leadership at the highest ranks. In addition, good leadership at all levels is important to ensure success. This example explains that good leadership at the top hierarchies of an organization determines the success of that organization. All levels of a corporation need to have good leadership to ensure success.

       An organization should go through with variations in time many changes. Changes within an organization or external changes are unavoidable. A crucial function of leadership is coping with changes within and outside an organization. This is a key function because in the past years there has been a rapid increase in market competition between organizations. Organizations should adopt several changes to compete successfully with their competitors. Failure to cope with market changes can lead to the clothing lapse company eureka of customers. Good leadership within a corporation achieves this (Kotter, 2001). 

         Leadership involves aligning people in an organization. Aligning people in an organization is important to the success of that company. The article has cited an example of the leadership skills that were demonstrated by bridge and Crandall at Eastman Kodak Company. Before they came to the company, it was facing tough times that were hard to be solved without good leadership. They met with several people to discuss important matters for the success of the company. To align the company’s biggest supplier the Kodak Apparatus Division, Crandall ensured that they meet with top management of this group every Thursday at lunch hour. The two leaders also met with different groups to ensure alignment. They also enhanced proper communication with the company’s employees. Alignment led to the success of the company (Kotter, 2001).

        Leadership involves setting a direction that an organization should follow. Management of an organization depends on the direction that the company is destined. Management is useless without a proper direction that a company should follow. Direction is a determining factor for the success of a company. The article has cited the function that Gerstner plaid at American Express Company to ensure its success (Kotter, 2001).  

        The objectives of a company can determine the balance between leadership and management. The company’s objectives might need more leadership than management or vice versa. How an organization views continuous improvement and success determines balance between management and leadership. How an organization is structured is also a consideration to balance between leadership and management.