Organizations rely on many different roles to keep operations running smoothly and efficiently. Managers and leaders have separate focuses regarding the teams they work with. Managers aim to set and achieve goals through internal processes, while effective leaders guide change by inspiring and supporting individuals. When it comes to guiding teams, mastering management versus leadership and understanding the differences is essential for organizational success.
What Is Management?
Dr. Marnie Davis, assistant professor of business management at Grand Canyon University, explains, “A manager is someone who focuses on setting goals, organizing key resources and ensuring that tasks are completed efficiently. A common saying that encapsulates the role of an effective manager is that they 'keep the trains running on time.’”
Managers are tasked with meeting the goals and objectives of an organization. They do this by supervising their teams’ output and ensuring the work is done well and completed on time. Management tasks often resemble a clear “to-do” list with quantifiable tasks that can be checked off when completed.
What Is Leadership?
A leader’s “to-do” list is more difficult to quantify into a neat checklist because the objectives of their role tend to be more abstract. Leaders focus on intangible goals related to morale, creativity and motivation. Davis adds, “A leader, on the other hand, is centered around inspiration, vision and influence. Leaders motivate their teams by presenting a compelling vision for the future. They embrace innovation and are adept at navigating change.”
One of the main differences between leadership and management is that leaders are less centered on organizational goals and more focused on team development. To summarize, “While management tends to focus on systems, processes and outcomes, leadership emphasizes people, vision and purpose. Emotional intelligence serves as the bridge between the two — it enables professionals to go beyond simply completing tasks and instead foster relationships, build trust and cultivate a healthy organizational culture,” says Davis.
