The way companies are managed has undergone significant changes in recent times. The centralized and one-way management has given way to a multi-handed management. In this process of change, different positions and functions have emerged to contribute assertively to this new management model. In addition to directors and owners, it is possible to find the figure of the coordinator, the leader and also the manager.
For many people, the leader and the manager are synonymous. But in practice, they are quite different positions and functions. Do you know how to identify the difference between a leader and a manager? You don’t? Not to worry! In this article, we are going to discuss about how these two roles differ from each other.
Not everyone will become a leader; only those who can muster the personality qualities characteristic of a good leader will succeed. These leadership skills can also work, although it is true that some people have a greater genetic predisposition for it. Some of the skills of a leader are as follows:
Personal skills: self-confidence, self-criticism, self-education, objectivity, feedback, patience, firmness, generosity and assertiveness.
Relational skills: communication, consideration for others, negotiation, conviction, empathy, delegation, perception of the surrounding world, sensitivity, sincerity and transparency.
Group management skills: definition of mission, values and objectives; meeting management; corporate and institutional presence.
It is also important to note that another main characteristic of a leader is that he or she is not always someone in a leadership position. The leader may be a colleague, for example. Leadership skills can be innate or developed over a lifetime. But for these skills to develop, it is not necessary to achieve a high position in the organization.
On the other hand, to become a manager, someone must be appointed to do so. Management skills develop. But the differences go further. Check it out!
Main Differences Between the Leader and the Manager
1- Inspiration and Authority
Leaders inspire teams, they inspire their colleagues by their attitudes and their speeches. Leaders are professionals who inspire other professionals to be better at their jobs. Managers have a process-oriented approach to innovative solutions that generate positive and satisfying results for the organization.
2- Questions and Processes
When we talk about a leader, we are talking about someone who will question the company’s processes when they notice that something is not right or does not make sense. This can often mean questioning the management and direction of the company. But, the manager will rather stay focused on the plan, on the planning that has been done, and on the objectives to be achieved.
3- Trust and Control
The relationship of leaders with the team is guided by trust. The employees do what the leader asks of them, trusting that the leader is asking them what they can do, in response to the trust they have in that professional. The leader’s relationship with the team is guided by control. He controls that he exercises through promotions, delegation of tasks and processes. This does not mean that the manager does not perceive the talents of his team; on the contrary, it is extremely important that he knows what the talents of the team are in order to develop the necessary strategies to achieve satisfactory results.
It is essential to say here that the leader and the manager have important roles in the organization.
A leader does not need to be a manager, but it is quite healthy and beneficial for the manager to be a leader. What do you think? And what do you think you are; more of a leader or more of a manager or perhaps both? Use the space below to share your experience and opinion on the topic.
