Leadership vs. Management
Leadership vs. Management
Much has been written about the difference between management and leadership. In the past, competent management staffs ran effective companies. In light of our ever-changing world, however, most companies have come to realize that it is much more important to lead than to manage. In today's world the old ways of management no longer work. One reason is that the degree of environmental and competitive change we are experiencing is extreme. Although exciting, the world is also very unstable and confused. In an article entitled What's the Difference between Your Hospital and the Other? Gary Campbell states that the difference between a manager and a leader is that the manager "finds himself quite willing to take risk, but seemingly afraid to take the risk of being different." That being true, a manager will always be reactive instead of proactive. A true leader will be proactive. He will embrace change and will look for ways to differentiate himself and his company from the competition. Warren Bennis a popular writer of leadership resources defines the difference between managers and leaders by using the following contrasts:
1. The manager administers; the leader innovates.
2. The manager maintains; the leader develops.
3. The manager accepts reality; the leader investigates it.
4. The manager focuses on systems and structures; the leader focuses on people.
5. The manager relies on control; the leader inspires trust.
6. The manager has a short-range view; the leader has a long-range perspective.
7. The manager asks how and when; the leader asks what and why.
8. The manager has his or her eye always on the bottom line; the leader has his or her eye on the horizon.
9. The manager imitates; the leader originates.
10. The manager accepts the status quo; the leader challenges it.
11. The manager is the classic good soldier; the leader is his or her own person.
Much has been written about the difference between management and leadership. In the past, competent management staffs ran effective companies. In light of our ever-changing world, however, most companies have come to realize that it is much more important to lead than to manage. In today's world the old ways of management no longer work. One reason is that the degree of environmental and competitive change we are experiencing is extreme. Although exciting, the world is also very unstable and confused. In an article entitled What's the Difference between Your Hospital and the Other? Gary Campbell states that the difference between a manager and a leader is that the manager "finds himself quite willing to take risk, but seemingly afraid to take the risk of being different." That being true, a manager will always be reactive instead of proactive. A true leader will be proactive. He will embrace change and will look for ways to differentiate himself and his company from the competition. Warren Bennis a popular writer of leadership resources defines the difference between managers and leaders by using the following contrasts:
1. The manager administers; the leader innovates.
2. The manager maintains; the leader develops.
3. The manager accepts reality; the leader investigates it.
4. The manager focuses on systems and structures; the leader focuses on people.
5. The manager relies on control; the leader inspires trust.
6. The manager has a short-range view; the leader has a long-range perspective.
7. The manager asks how and when; the leader asks what and why.
8. The manager has his or her eye always on the bottom line; the leader has his or her eye on the horizon.
9. The manager imitates; the leader originates.
10. The manager accepts the status quo; the leader challenges it.
11. The manager is the classic good soldier; the leader is his or her own person.
References: Bennis, Walter (1997). Learning To Lead: A Workbook on Becoming A Leader, pg. 9, Perseus Books, Addison/Wesley Campbell, Gary (2004). What 's the Difference Between Your Hospital and the Other? HealthLeaders News July, 2004 One Thousand Ventures (2000). Business Guide, Management. Retrieved April 20, 2005 from http://www.1000ventures.com/business_guide/mgmt_new-model_25lessons-welch.html#LMML