Leadership vs. Management
The Differences between Leadership and Management
Kristian Blakeney
Leadership
Georgia Law Enforcement Command College
Chief Deputy Vic West, Instructor
The Differences between Leadership and Management
“What is the difference between leadership and management?” is the question that I will be answering in this paper. There are many different ways that managers and leaders do things different but most people think that they are one in the same. I will be comparing their definition, their personality styles, their focus, their orientation, their outcomes, their approach to tasks, their approach to risks, their role in decision making, their styles, where their power comes from and what type of organization they will have. I will first start with the definitions, although there are many for both. Leadership means the ability of an individual to influence, motivate, and enable others to contribute toward the effectiveness and success of the organization of which they are members (Diffen). Management comprises directing and controlling a group of one or more people or entities for the purpose of coordinating and harmonizing that group towards accomplishing a goal (Diffen). By the definitions it is clear that leaders are focused on “the people” and managers are focused on “the work”. Since leaders and managers are focused on two different things, their personality styles differ as well. Leaders are often seen as loners and private people but brilliant with great charisma (Diffen). They are comfortable taking risks, sometimes seemingly wild and crazy risks (Diffen). Almost all leaders have high levels of imagination. Some leaders are servant leaders who assume the position of servant in their relationship with fellow workers (Russell and Stone). With these type of personality styles it is no wonder why leaders are focused on “the people”. In order for leaders to influence and motivate their people they must form bonds with them. This
Kristian Blakeney
Leadership
Georgia Law Enforcement Command College
Chief Deputy Vic West, Instructor
The Differences between Leadership and Management
“What is the difference between leadership and management?” is the question that I will be answering in this paper. There are many different ways that managers and leaders do things different but most people think that they are one in the same. I will be comparing their definition, their personality styles, their focus, their orientation, their outcomes, their approach to tasks, their approach to risks, their role in decision making, their styles, where their power comes from and what type of organization they will have. I will first start with the definitions, although there are many for both. Leadership means the ability of an individual to influence, motivate, and enable others to contribute toward the effectiveness and success of the organization of which they are members (Diffen). Management comprises directing and controlling a group of one or more people or entities for the purpose of coordinating and harmonizing that group towards accomplishing a goal (Diffen). By the definitions it is clear that leaders are focused on “the people” and managers are focused on “the work”. Since leaders and managers are focused on two different things, their personality styles differ as well. Leaders are often seen as loners and private people but brilliant with great charisma (Diffen). They are comfortable taking risks, sometimes seemingly wild and crazy risks (Diffen). Almost all leaders have high levels of imagination. Some leaders are servant leaders who assume the position of servant in their relationship with fellow workers (Russell and Stone). With these type of personality styles it is no wonder why leaders are focused on “the people”. In order for leaders to influence and motivate their people they must form bonds with them. This