Leadership versus Management - Example

Leadership versus Management Student’s name Institution Leadership versus Management In the contemporary workplace and business environment, there has been a debate over the importance of leadership over management. In order to discuss this issue it is important that the two terms are defined in their proper context. Management refers to the planning, directing, organizing and controlling of the operations of the organization. Leadership may be conceptually defined as being a manager that does more than is expected of the manager. Leadership is usually associated with interpersonal aspects of managing such as motivation, influencing and inspiration. As such the leader goes further than the manager in making use of the human aspects in managing as opposed to the manager that just follows laid down procedures and does not bother human interactive aspects to get results (Kotterman, 2006). Leaders versus Managers Leaders Managers Visionary rational Warm and radiant businesslike passionate persistent Creative Tough minded Inspiring analytical innovative deliberative Imaginative authoritative initiator implementer Experimental Cool and reserved Coach, consultant, teacher Focuses on results The Leader as an Influencer What sets the leader apart from the manager is the power of influencing action and behavior that the leader has. For any leader to be successful they must have the capacity or acquire the capacity to influence others. The aspect of whether leaders are born or made is also a controversial one. However, it must be acknowledged that leadership is a process of nurture and learning (Daft & Marcic, 2006). Managers may thus be made leaders with learning or leaders may be reduced to manager over time. Model of Power and Influence In any organization the leader and the manager usually aim for similar goals which are the attainment of set objectives. However, the means through which they reach those objectives are different. Both the leader and the manager seek commitment, compliance and little resistance from their teams. How these goals are achieved will also be determined by the level of influence the manager or the leader has over the team. Traits, behaviors and circumstances will also determine the effectiveness of means used by the leader. Outcomes of Influence Tactics Commitment: The manager and the leader would seek commitment as the highest goal. It is only through creating enthusiasm that the broader goals may be achieved. The leader would seek to achieve these goals through humanistic means of making the employee enjoy doing the job. A manager on the other hand would seek to do it through impersonal means such as ensuring people report to work on time (Naoum, 2001). Compliance is one of the tools normally used by the manager and this usually results in lesser enthusiasm. Ultimately this results in resistance and the lack of attainment of common objectives. Functions of Leadership and Management While it has been suggested that leadership is the most important aspect in the running of a successful organization, it must be acknowledged that both functions are critical in the running of the organization. A manager must know how to lead and the leader how to manage if they are to attain desirable results. Management is responsible for predictability order and consistency without which the company may lose focus. Leadership results in change, adaptability, and the move towards new clients products and processes which is important for the company. Leadership provides vision and mobilizes the people towards the attainment of the vision yet management is important in ensuring the organization does not veer from the objective. It is good that a leader be both a manager and a leader in order to ensure that the company has order predictability and consistency yet at the same time lead it to be versatile and adaptable in moving towards greater achievements (Kotterman, 2006). Becoming a better Influencer Possessing the ability to influence others is one of the most important skills for management and leadership. The capacity to influence is learned very early in life even though many people do not realize the power to influence they possess. There are several strategies which may be employed by the manager or leader in influencing their teams including; rational logical persuasion, consultation, inspirational appeal, and consultation. In this handbook we discuss consultation and rational/logical persuasion two of the most effective influence strategies. Rational persuasion refers to the presentation of an argument through presentation of facts. Consultation refers to the seeking of advice on an aspect you are less knowledgeable about. The Manager as a Leader Spokesperson of the Organization As a spokesperson the manager is called upon to keep the various stakeholders of the company informed on the activities of the organization. The manager gives information with regard to plans activities, possibilities and capabilities of the business to professional colleagues, labor unions, upper level management and the general public. As such the leader would need to be good at consultation with other members of the organization in order to pass across correct and accurate information. Negotiator As a manager the manager would require skills of consultation and rational persuasion since they would be called upon to make deals with persons inside the organizations an outside it. The manager would need to show leadership skills in bargaining for funds and equipment, bargaining with suppliers and also bargaining with employees. The manager would need leadership skills in convincing people of the workability of their ideas (Daft & Marcic, 2006). Coach and Motivator In order for the manager to be effective he has to lead in coaching and motivating of the members of their team. Inspiring the team is also a part of the function of a successful manager. As such the manager will be called upon to offer recognition for achievement, offer feedback on performance and seek to know the reason for such performance (Naoum, 2001). This can only be attained through consultation with the given team member or their superiors. The manager has to offer recommendations to the team members for improvement of performance and also punish undesired behavior. All of these will call for charisma as a leader and adherence to set guidelines of performance for management. Team Builder and Team Player The manager is a leader in being a team builder and team player. The leader is expected to ensure recognition of team members for achievement of set goals, initiating group activities, listening to team member concerns, motivation, fostering cooperation, and supporting the goals of the organization. Cooperation and initiation of group activities calls for a person that is of utmost influence and is charismatic enough to make people enthusiastic towards their ideas and in working together (Kotterman, 2006). Technical Problem Solver The manager is called upon help the members of their team to solve problems they face in their day to day functions. A leader is not always knowledgeable on every aspect of the project being undertaken and as such consultation would be very important. Consultation usually makes people to be more motivated towards the group objectives. The manager who does not allow the team member to consult him would not be successful as he would have a demotivated team (Daft & Marcic, 2006). It is also important that the manager foster consultation within the group on technical issues. Strategic Planner The leader is usually tasked with providing vision to the company. The manager is responsible for putting in place strategic plans for implementation of such plans. The manager is expected to exercise strategic leadership. The manager has to liaise and consult with the originator of the strategic vision and other members of the organization in order to make an effective plan. Logical persuasion would also play an important role in this since the manager will have offer innovative ideas and change the vision and he has to get the consent of the stakeholders. Conclusion The roles of manager and leader are both important for the organization and may be said to be complementary. The manager or leader must determine whether managerial or leadership push or pull tactics are most suited for a particular situation. Nevertheless the art of influence is a critical component of leadership and the leader has to be knowledgeable on how to use influence to direct behavior. Managers and leaders ought to acknowledge the importance of management and leadership in attaining successful results. References Daft, R. L., & Marcic, D. (2006). Understanding management. Mason, Ohio: Thomson/South-Western. Kotterman, J., (2006), “Leadership vs Management: What’s the difference?”, Journal for Quality & Participation, Vol. 29 Issue 2, p.13-17 Naoum, S. (2001). People and organizational management in construction. London: Telford. Read More