The True Fight: Managing vs. Leading
By Martha Whittle
People toss around the words management and leadership as though they are interchangeable. And at one point I was even fooled. But a quick lesson within my leadership class at college and I no longer wanted to have a manager, I wanted a leader.
So, if one seems so much more appealing than the other, than why do we seem to confuse them when they are put together?
The truth is, they both hold the same position within a company, they both handle a team, and in the end they both want to achieve the same outcome. But, in all reality, how they get there is completely different.
A manager tends to do what it says – manages. And as a leader manages as well, they both do it differently. A manager on one hand tends to dictate and tell people what to do. They hold control of all situations and focus on their team doing only the things that will get them there. A leader, on the other hand, is also there for support and inspiration. They want to lead and inspire a team to where they are going and allow them to choose the path that will get them there the most effectively.
So, why is a leader more appealing?
As a leader is more open to opinions and ideas, they also seem easier to approach and more team oriented. A leader isn’t afraid to get their hands dirty if they’re short team members that day. They also aren’t afraid to let their team perform the tasks a leader would normally perform. A leader isn’t afraid of growth and allowing the team to follow a new path to achieve a new outcome. A leader leads their team to work together.
That being said, I will leave you with one final thought to reflect on as you lead your team.
Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.
- Peter F. Drucker
Martha Whittle is a Marketing Assistant for BizXcel. She has a Business Diploma and is currently completing her Bachelor of Management - Marketing Degree. She has past work experience in the accounting and marketing fields.
