Leaders Vs Managers Are There Really a Difference?

Leaders vs Managers are there really a difference?

Tadeusz Czuprynski

COM 425

Date: 6 June 2011

For:

Jonnetta Thomas-Chambers

Abstract

I will address the differences between Leaders and Managers within this paper. I will provide examples between Managers and Leaders. I will show how both can motivate by providing direction to achieve the desire affect. I will provide how they both can be simular in ways and provide an analogy that shows the difference between both Leaders and Managers.

Leaders and Managers are there really a difference?

There is a difference between Leaders and managers with skill sets and leadership styles. Within this paper I hope to identify the differences between both positions. Yet both leaders and managers have difference styles but are similar in ways. We have to look and compare the too. Let's start with leaders or leadership. Leadership in simple term is nothing more with the ability or the process of influencing others to accomplish the mission or task by providing purpose, direction, and motivation. The process to influence individuals or groups is a trait one must posses to articulate their intent in what they are trying to achieve.

Being a Leader takes one of natural ability or talent to see the bigger picture. With leadership styles or traits can be debated by many people and other leaders. Leadership is a challenge with or within many leaders. Leadership is to lead not be leaded. Many leaders will explain to a degree that leading ones organization can be complicated. Balancing different department heads, managers, and employees for one. When leaders are in a leadership position they see the bigger picture. They want to see their organization grow and head in a direction, where it is local within the Contenitinal United States or Globally.

Within our readings from our text book, we saw that Leaders have power bases. Leaders either have a Power base or Legitimate powers. Power base are commonly identified as Legitimate, reward, coercive, relevant, expert, and connection according (Zalabak, page 239). Leaders must have the interpersonal skills to influence individuals or groups, contribute through participation with effective communication and the group climate.

Leaders can manage, and managers can lead. I have found, through my experiences in different organization that I have involve in or with, that you can not be a great manager without being a great leader and you can not lead without managing. A leader must have followers, otherwise you are a lone wolf. The best leaders, lead by example. To be a leader you must be willing to serve those that follow you, not just in business matters, but also in their personal life. Followers want to trust their Leaders to guide them in the direction to win.

Having the interpersonal skills to communicate effectively can be an on going process that has to be fine tune repeatedly on a regular basis. To communicate in a clear and concise matter must be achieve. Employees must understand the intent of the message that is being sent and received. If leader is ineffective with their communication, it can cause that organization to be in turmoil. Employees will lose face and confidence in their Leaders. Leaders have to understand the leadership tools and techniques to guide and motivate the people working under them, but they also perform many other functions. Leaders are the subject matter experts of their organization in all facet of the organization.

As we see so far that Leaders need to be an effective in communication, a motivator, mentor, and manager for their organization. Leaders are not born, they are made, mode and develop in who they are and to make the critical decision that needs to be made. They make tuff decision where others will not.

Now let's look at Managers. A manager is less concerned about the human factor, and makes the tough decisions based on what is best for the company, but sometimes, what is best for the company is doing what is best for the people in the company or team. A leader recognizes the human factor and knows when to tend to their subordinates. Managers understands the message and direction that leaders want to achieve their goals within the organization.