Leadership vs. Management - Essay Example

That is because of the existing gray area in the definition of the two. However, Warren Bennis who penned the book “On Becoming a Leader” (1989) has tried to differentiate leadership and management by explaining that; In essence, leadership sets the tone that the group is to follow while management controls and directs the workers towards achieving the goals based on established values and principles (“Definition of Leadership and Management”). Based upon the aforementioned differences of a leadership and management, we can now create a more solid perception of what the good characteristics of a leader should be.

According to Tanya Prive (2012), there are 10 qualities that depict the best characteristics of a leader. These characteristics include; While there is a very long list of characteristics that is expected of a leader, there are only 5 very important qualities that a manager must have according to Jacob Morgan (2013). These qualities include; Experts such as Erika Andersen (2012) believe that it is possible for a single person to be a good leader and manager since the two are complementary and related.

The characteristics of a good leader and manager actually overlap in 4 areas according to Andersen (2012). These include “listen well, are curious, manager their self - talk, and hold themselves accountable for moving their business forward.” Leadership qualities therefore, can be acquired, developed, and taught to others. That is because business managers learn to observe their leaders in order to properly manage their business. The leaders train the managers to become their clones on the floor and therefore allow these managers to develop their leadership abilities, which are taught to them and which they pass onto their subordinates.

In conclusion, I would advise that those interested in management and leadership read more articles pertaining to the method by which these two highly