Leader vs. manager 7/7
by Miki SaxonPost from Leadership Turn Image credit: lusi
This is a summing up in a series discussing whether Warren Bennis’ 13 differences between leaders and managers still holds in light of today’s modern workforce.
In a comment on the prequel to this series Phil Gerbyshak said, “I agree wholeheartedly that great managers have BOTH qualities…though I know plenty of average managers who don’t have either. I’d like it required that managers have at least one half of Bennis’ qualities in order to lead a team. Is that too much to strive for?”
On day one Nii said, “Regarding the differences between a manager and a leader, I believe that the gap is closing between the two. In today’s global and technologically advanced world, managers still need to have the leadership qualities to succeed. They need to be able to take risks, inspire, innovate and challenge conventional thinking. Otherwise, they will be history.”
Day four Fred commented, “I believe to be a successful manager in today’s new work environment managers must posses the skills to be effective leaders and coaches in team oriented “open door” environments. Young employees entering the work force from High School or College do not possess the same work ethics of baby boomer’s. If managers attempt to train this new work force using the same tactics as we did in the past retention will suffer greatly. It is truly a kinder and gentler world we live in.”
I’m in passionate agreement with the consensus that managers need to marshal many so-called leadership skills if they plan to succeed today.
In a world where multiple job changes are both easy and acceptable the currency that buys loyalty isn’t money, rather it’s achieved by creating an environment that stimulates and satisfies each individual’s needs.
Finally, in a sister post over at Slacker Manager Nick McCormick says, “Too much is made of the difference between managers and leaders. I think we do it to make ourselves seem more important. “I’m a leader, not a lowly manager!””
Amen, Nick. While management is what you do, leadership is the way you think. Great management is composed of equal parts leadership and accountability. True leaders are proclaimed as such by those around them, not by themselves.
The best way to find success is to work constantly at incorporating as many to Bennis’ 26 traits as possible into your skillset and your MAP (mindset, attitude, philosophy™) and stop worrying about what you’re called.
What are your thoughts?
Your comments—priceless
May 9th, 2008 at 4:04 am
Hey Miki! I could not agree more…”stop worrying about what you’re called”. Titles determine your day to day duties, but titles don’t determine whether or not you are a leader. I also agree…people who want to be leaders need to incorporate as many of Bennis’ 26 traits as possible. And then do them. And do them often.
May 9th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Hi Casey, Not only do them, but live them and make them part of your MAP!
May 12th, 2008 at 10:20 am
I think the use of ‘versus’ is misleading. And I think the differences are overall true.
Manager and Leader are two distinct roles that are sometimes embodied by a single person (especially in small companies). In any organization you actually need both.
I would even contend that in many cases it is better that they are different persons working together.
It occured to me and a colleague of mine that many managers are here to handle the bureaucratic aspect of work. We even accept that some level of bureaucracy is necessary. I think what your are pointing out is that this level has been getting lower with the changes in the environment (including the workforce). The level of leadership in contrast has not changed or may even have increased at the same time. The management/leadership ratio has changed. It does not mean the roles need to be blurred or merged.
May 12th, 2008 at 11:11 am
Hi Denis, I’m afraid that this time I can’t agree with you this time. I honestly don’t believe that a manager can do the people side of the—job hiring, motivating and retaining, or attain the productivity and innovation—managing the modern workforce without many of the skills attributed to leaders.
May 12th, 2008 at 11:51 am
I think you are mixing responsibilities. Managers share many of the people side of things with others in a company.
I think you are putting too much on the shoulders of the manager. It is certainly the case that this happens when you are starting a business and generally in small structures.
As to why it is desirable to have two different persons filling these roles, it boils down to handling leadership conflicts.
May 12th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Denis, Based on my experience, managers with good leadership skills just seem to have an easier time managing their people. Same skills, but used differently than the “official” leader(s) in the company.
Also, please elaborate on what you meant by “handling leadership conflicts.”
May 12th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
[…] still holds in light of today??s modern workforce. In a comment on the prequel to this serieshttp://www.mappingcompanysuccess.com/leader-vs-manager-77/[…]
May 12th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
Leadership is a dynamic thing. Leaders are established and then abandonned.
Now when transitions happen, or when an attempt is made by someone to establish a new or competing leadership there is often a conflict. The case is usually that manager-leaders can breed courtisans rather than peers or challengers. This eventually kills innovation.
Now don’t get me wrong, it does not have to happen. It is just likely. You can think about it as the principle of separation of powers if you like.
May 14th, 2008 at 9:55 am
Denis, my apologies for being slow to respond. I’ve had the feeling that we were talking about two slightly differ things and now I’m sure. Incorporating many leadership skills into their management abilities doesn’t make them Leaders in the terms that you’re indicating. I think that managers need to incorporate leadership skills to productively manage/lead today’s workforce, but those skills don’t give them another hat to wear and only the accomplishments and success of their group would lift them above their peers.
July 21st, 2008 at 3:40 pm
[…] Slacker Manager, one of the more interesting blogs around. This post, like the preceding ones at LeadershipTurn are taking the manager vs. leader are starting to go in the right direction after our clinging to […]
November 5th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
PLEASE I GOT CONFUSED AFTER READING DIFFERENT IDEAS PLEASE CAN U EXPLAIN THE ANSWER OF DO MANAGERS NNED TO BE A LEADERS
November 6th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Hi Maryam, you’re in good company:) There really isn’t an absolute answer.
There are two distinct schools of thought. One believes that leaders and managers are different and see “leaders” as on a higher plane.
Others, like me, believe that to manage well requires having and using so-called leadership skills.
to further confuse the issue, leadership can and should be active at any/all levels of an organization when the need arises.
Real leadership is how you think and act as opposed to your position.
I don’t know if this helps you or not, but I do want to thank you for stopping by and adding to this conversation. Your question will continue to be debated long after we cease to exist:)
November 7th, 2008 at 11:25 am
to miki saxon
thank you so much for your reply
November 7th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
My pleasure, Maryam. Please don’t hesitate to ask more questions or to contact me directly if you need additional help.
November 8th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
to maxi please can ugive an example of a situation in which you might need to adop an alternative style of leadership thank u so much for ur time
November 8th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
Leadership isn’t about style, it’s about how you think and who you are. Your style may change as you adopt a presentation appropriate to the people with whom you are interacting, but that doesn’t change who you are and what you believe.
November 14th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
to miki saxon
thank you so much my dear miki saxon
November 14th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Marwan, it’s my pleasure, I hope it’s of use to you in your career.
November 15th, 2008 at 7:05 am
[…] had a recent conversation on the final post from a series last summer regarding supposed differences between ‘leaders’ and […]