Leader Vs Manager

For the first time,I heard it from my friend, who wanted to be a leader than a Manager.

It intrigued me.. what is a leader ..? what separates leader from a Manager...? Do we have to be a good manager to be a leader..??

In short the difference is:

Managers are people who do things right and leaders are people who do the right thing.

The difference may be summarized as activities of vision and judgment — effectiveness —versus activities of mastering routines — efficiency. The chart below indicates key words that further make the distinction between the two functions:

· The manager administers; the leader innovates.

· The manager is a copy; the leader is an original.

· The manager maintains; the leader develops.

· The manager accepts reality; the leader investigates it.

· The manager focuses on systems and structure; the leader focuses on people.

· The manager relies on control; the leader inspires trust.

· The manager has a short-range view; the leader has a long-range perspective.

· The manager asks how and when; the leader asks what and why.

· The manager has his or her eye always on the bottom line; the leader has his or her eye on the horizon.

· The manager imitates; the leader originates.

· The manager accepts the status quo; the leader challenges it.

· The manager is the classic good soldier; the leader is his or her own person.

· The manager does things right; the leader does the right thing.

The most dramatic differences between leaders and managers are found at the extremes: poor leaders are despots, while poor managers are bureaucrats in the worst sense of the word. Whilst leadership is a human process and management is a process of resource allocation, both have their place and managers must also perform as leaders. All first-class managers turn out to have quite a lot of leadership ability.


In a different perspective:

here is an article in Hindu News paper by B. S. RAGHAVAN

What are the qualities and capabilities of a leader as distinguished from those of a manager? Is there anything like leadership in and by itself, which differs from what is expected of a manager? Are the functions of the leader and manager distinct and separate?

Management tracts purposely pursue these enquiries. It is a truism that not all leaders are necessarily good managers and vice versa. It is equally clear that high designations alone do not help in delivering the goods. There is a view of Jawaharlal Nehru, for instance, that he was inspiring as a leader but fell short as the chief executive of the nation. Making a distinction between the attributes of a leader and a manager is a pointless pastime. Management pros, however, happily indulge in it. Some write-ups go to absurd lengths in viewing leader's role in isolation from that of the manager. One that I saw recently lets itself go with things like: Leaders inspire, managers measure; leaders guide, managers navigate; leaders talk, managers listen; leaders expect, managers demand; leaders support, managers teach; and similar inanities.

Actually, if a leader is one who inspires his associates to act in tune with his vision by setting an example in all that he expects in and of others, then every functionary who has been given a task to accomplish, whether called a manager or by any other name, has to be a leader as well.

Similarly, it is no use merely entertaining or propagating a vision and having impeccable credentials as a person unless they translate into achievements contributing to the goals of the organisation or the collective good of the society. Thus, the only reliable test of leadership is its ability to produce results commensurate with the efforts.

I think you have to be a good manager to be a good leader. Having the vision alone wont solve the purpose.. you should also know how to deliver effective results. :D