Q, Explain how someone can be a manager but not a leader, a leader but not a manager, and both a manager and a leader? Answer: The discussion between management and leadership has been considerable for a number of years. Differentiation between leadership and management is important. There is difference between manager and leader but both are important. Manger has to manage which means to accomplish and to bring about, to conduct and to feel the responsibility. On the other hand, Leader leads by guiding, and influencing in a course, direction, opinion, and action.
The distinction between them is crucial (Warren Bennis 2000). In the light of this explanation we shall discuss how someone can become manager but not a leader, a leader but not a manger and both a manager and a leader? Manager but not a Leader: The term of manager is not the same for leader since the two terms are not the same. A manager must ensure the appropriate delivery of human resources and funding to meet the routine daily productivity objectives. The manager is known as detailed oriented.
Mangers don not see the overall picture and are less interested regarding the long-term corporate goals and mission. They are worried about details; as a result, they do not make them a good leader. Some managers may have certain leadership qualities but they remain too focused on their daily operations and are unable to provide direction and vision to the organization. A manager plans, organizes, leads, and controls whereas a leader influence others through communication, motivation, discipline, direction and dynamics (William A.
Howatt, 2008). This explanation clears that someone can be a manager but not a leader. Leader but not a Manager: People who direct, guide and coordinate a group towards an objective and a goal are known as leaders. A leader motivates subordinates to achieve the goals set by the company. Leader shows the ways and lead the ways by example and exhibit an evident commitment to set goals, motivates subordinates for achievements.
Leadership qualities are inbuilt qualities and these are further developed though education and experience with certain qualities such as beliefs, values, skills, ethics and knowledge (Snell, 2008). On the other hand, the manager directs predetermined projects and goals. Managers are also involved in the hiring, scheduling and training of the employees to complete the work with efficiency and cost effectiveness. A leader is not involved in such activities; therefore, a person can be a leader but not a manager. Both a Manager and a Leader:
Managership and leadership is same, this statement is incorrect because leaders do not require any managerial position to act as leader. On the contrary, a manger needs the traits of a leader to become a successful manager. Leadership is part of the functions controlled by the managers such as planning, staffing, organizing, and directing. Leadership is not associated to managership, because a person becomes leader due to its God gifted qualities. Managers work better when they combine leadership traits along with managerial skills http://www. managementstudyguide. om/leader_versus_manager. htm. It is therefore true that a person can be both a manager and a leader but a leader cannot be a good manager References: Warren Bennis, 2000, On Becoming a Leader; the Leadership Classic, Perseus Publishing William A. Howatt 2008, Leadership Vs. management, Way with Words Publishing Thomas S. Bateman, Scott A. Snell 2009 Management: Leading & Collaborating in the Competitive World, 8th edition, Irwin/mcgraw-hill Publishing http://www. managementstudyguide. com/leader_versus_manager. htm. Viewed on 13 February 2010
