Leadership_Versus_Management

Leadership versus Management Natalie Arnold Colorado Technical University Online Phase1 Discussion Board2 INTD670-1102B-07 Professor: Ronald Beach May 22, 2011 Abstract Leadership and management are commonly misconceived as the other. In this paper, I will explain the differences between management and leadership. Leadership versus Management In any organization, management sets the policies and become proficient at skills that are valuable, and they welcome the morals that are more adopted than required. The most important role of a manager is to use team work and effort in the successful production of ECG. To accomplish this, managers must perform functions such as “listening, informing, focusing the teams on costs, and representing the company to the customer” (Maccoby, 2007; para.6). A manager cannot just be a leader, though; they must also be a role model for their employees- which are the backbone in any business, and nothing motivates their day to day routines more than the manager; which makes leaders-those who want to ‘follow in the manager’s footsteps’ so to speak. This, in turn makes leadership one of the several strengths a successful, sufficient, and efficient manager must have. Leadership is just one important factor of the managing and following aspect. Employees not only must be followers but must be leaders as well; who are effective and efficient. Effective leaders “shape the future, make things happen, engage today’s talent, build the next generation, and invest in themselves” (Ulrich, 2011; para.5). An efficient leader, according to Silva Payne (2009; paras.2&3), “allocates resources effectively, are able to quickly see all sides to an issue or problem without bias, and have the ability to put aside their personal attachments and work for the good of the team or project”. “By definition, managers have subordinates - except their label is honorary and specified as a mark of priority, in which case the label is a misnomer and their authority over others is other than official authority” (Changing Minds, 2007; para.2). Managers are called this in that it is their responsibility to ensure things are done properly within a budget and based on deadlines. Managers are first and foremost supervisors with the ability and authority to do business plans, financial plan and supervise improvement; whereas leaders get businesses and people to transform. Management is a profession that has to be put into action in any company where as leadership is an assembly that can improve any company (Maccoby, 2007). A leader should devise an everyday job that employs an individual capability and morale. Managers and leaders in companies come together in order to adjust conditions and situations in order to ensure the safety as well as success of their employees. While leaders are put in place to help one advance in their profession, managers are put in place to ensure their employees implement the policies and provisions of ECG in order for them to accomplish their end goals. Managers and leaders build and gain knowledge of how to resolve issues, connect with their staff and employees, and uphold the decisions and/or requests made by their staff and employees to improve the safety of their employees as well as maintaining healthy working environments and surroundings. The purposes of management that aids in this are preparation, guiding, controlling, and recruiting. They have the duties of making provisions to ensure the accomplishment of goals and give progress and profit reports. A manager who is a good leader is inspiring to their environment. Conclusion “Managers have subordinates - except their label is honorary and specified as a mark of priority, in which case the label is a misnomer and their authority over others is other than official authority” (Changing Minds, 2007) and leadership is an assembly that can improve any company (Maccoby, 2007). So in conclusion, although there are differences between leadership and management, they both go hand in hand in order to successfully adhere to ECG’s culture, policies, and employees. References Changing Minds. (2007). Management vs. leadership. Retrieved from: http://changingminds.org/disciplines/leadership/articles/manager_leader.htm Maccoby, M. (2000). Understanding the difference between management and leadership. Retrieved from: http://www.maccoby.com/Articles/UtDBMaL.shtml Payne, S. (2009). Characteristics of an efficient leader. Retrieved from: http://www.helium.com/items/1577880-characteristics-of-a-leader Ulrich, D. (2011). American management association: What is an effective leader' Retrieved from: http://www.amanet.org/training/articles/What-is-an-effective-leader.aspx'pcode=XCRP