Written by Rosie on July 13, 2009 – 3:54 pm
On the Speaking as a Leader course we held last week at the beautiful venue of Stanton Manor, we had some great delegates. One of the exercises they found most challenging was defining the difference between leadership and management. They are not alone. If you go on the internet and search under leadership, there are over 14 million hits; many of which are on defining what it is! Volumes have been written on it. Yet like the Holy Grail, do we really know what we are searching for and how much is myth?
History tells us that we have been debating this topic since 500BC (not me personally, although it seems like it at times). It is strange that a word that gets so bandied about at the moment, still has no definitive definition.
If you would like to enter a competition, then please send us your views on the five main differences between leadership and management, and we will judge the best response. The winner will get a personal leadership style profile (ILM72) or a free place on one of our one day management courses of their choice. Just email us on info@training-for-results.co.uk
The next Speaking as a Leader course is on November 10th & 11th.
Leadership maximise upside opportunity.
Managers minimise downside risk.
Both together complement each other for an optimised exective. This distinction lies at the heart of the difference of the two concepts. Five examples of how this plays out include…
1. Leaders plant; Managers weed. Both together yield the greatest harvest.
2. Leaders create the Will, Managers maintain the Rhythm. Both together move the organisation forward.
3. Leaders are Star Players who bring that little bit extra, Managers are Soul Players who embody and preserve the spirit. Both together form Super Teams.
4. The Leader champions rights; The Manager fosters responsibilities. Both together promote a civic harmony.
5. The Leader is the first man out of the trenches onto the battlefield; The Manager is the last man over the bridge off the battlefield. Both together ensure committed and cohesive fight for a cause.