Management and leadership are the two most well-known terms in business, often used interchangeably. But there lies a noteworthy distinction between both. Individuals having technical and communication skills are prioritized for managerial positions while the introspective nature and capability to influence others are the qualities to look for in a leader.

A leader, in general, is an individual who rolls out a vision for success on an organizational level. A manager is more specific with carrying out the individual goals that ultimately contribute to fulfilling the vision of the leader.

In simplest terms, a leader comes up with a long-term plan and a manager applies short-term strategies to accomplish it. We recommend reading more about people with leadership qualities like Nathan Garries Edmonton.

Management vs. Leadership

For a successful business, it is necessary to be a good leader as well as a good manager. Although both of them are fairly different, their coexistence is imperative.

Let’s discuss briefly how managing people and leading people correlate to each other.

Execution vs. Vision

• Leading a firm or a business refers to furnishing a vision. His vision reflects where the organization is destined to be in the future.
• A manager executes the idea the leader has shared. He sets different targets, designs the action plans, and implements his strategies to attain the provided vision.

Creativity vs. Innovation

• It is essential for a leader to be innovative with his vision like Elon Musk. He/she has to put all the factors into consideration that directly or indirectly affect the execution of the idea.
• Managers are responsible to make tactical decisions for the implementation of an innovative idea, the primary requirement of which is creativity. The more creative a manager is, the more diversified his strategies will be.

Inspiration vs. Influence

• Influence is a key aspect of leadership. A leader has the ability to influence his subordinates by motivating them to contribute to the overall growth of the organization.
• Management requires skills to inspire. A manager motivates his followers by setting himself as an example and presenting his actions as a source of inspiration.

Short-term Tasks vs. Long-term Direction

• Leaders are equipped with innovative ideas which provide a direction to help the organization grow in the long run. Their vision encompasses all the key features which contribute towards long-term benefits to the organization.
• An individual occupying a managerial position focuses on the short-term targets to achieve the set goals. He chunks his larger strategy into smaller tasks, thus managing day-to-day operations.

Why Is It Important to Differentiate?

It has been established that both the roles boast their distinctive characteristics, it is prudent to understand the difference between a manager and a leader as it enables you to be more effective in your role as either one of them.

It doesn’t imply that a manager can’t be a leader or a leader can’t step up to hold a managerial position. Both the roles in certain situations may overlap in terms of functionality.

Like the entrepreneur Nathan Garries Quadrus, one has to ensure that he/she is thinking beyond the vision for organizational prosperity and inspiring people by implementing his strategies at the same time.