Differences between a Leader and a Manager - Coursework Example

June 5, Introduction Leadership and management are terms that are often used interchangeably due to their functions that most of the times overlap. However, there is a difference between these two wide concepts that any person involved in management should be able to differentiate. It is important to note that a well-balanced organization would require a mix of exceptional leaders and excellent managers in order to achieve the objectives of the organization. Many definitions have been given for the meaning of a leader or a manager. A leader is someone who is in a position whereby he has followers under him in any organization. Closely related to this is the work of the manager that includes management is an art and is defined as a process used in the achievement of the goals of the organization or its objectives. Leaders and managers play related roles and are an integral part of any organization or entity. Therefore, workers or employees in a particular organization need managers to assign tasks as well as define the purpose of the organization. This requires that the managers organize the workers in order to maximize the efficiency of the work place or organization while at the same time nurture skills, inspire results and actively develop talents.i The question that then begs to be answered is whether a difference between leaders and managers and what are the benefits of having good or better ones in an organization. As already discussed above, the managers set the direction in which a company should be run through aligning the human resource available, motivating and inspiring them in whatever they do. Managers on the other hand have the management task assigned to them and are required to achieve the goals of the organization that may include planning and making of budgets, organizing and staffing, solving problems and other control duties. Several researchers agree that managers play an important role in budgeting, controlling and organizing how an organization is run, while the leaders offer vision for the organization while at the same time organize how different aspects of the organization can be changed. A research paper commissioned by the Financial World in 2007 titled “Manager to Leader: making the transition” distinguish these two confusing terms by discussing the distinction between good leadership and good management.ii Therefore, the main differences between leadership and management are the well-pronounced ability of leaders to communicate effectively to achieve success. In the current business environment, leaders play an important role in dealing with change while the managers ensure that things run smoothly. The differences between leaders and managers can be discussed under different subheadings that clearly distinguish a person as engaged in either management or leadership. In terms of the development of a vision, the manager plans and budgets while at the same time develops process steps and sets the timelines. A manager should exhibit an impersonal attitude that will help it achieve its aims and visions; moreover, the leader sets the directions and develops the vision for running of the organization while at the same time employing strategic plans for achieving the vision and aims of the organization or entity. The leader must always be passionate about the goals and visions of the organization in which they lead.iii In the development of human resource and networking, the manager is involved in organization and staffing. He at the same time maintains structures through the delegation of responsibility and responsibilities. Managers are actively involved in the implementation of the vision through the establishment of policy and procedures important for implementing the vision. Leaders play an important role in aligning the organization through proper communication of the vision, mission and direction. A leader is required to display high driven emotion that can positively stimulate the creation of partnerships that understand and appreciate the vision and goals of the organization. In terms of the execution of the vision, the manager controls the processes and is involved in identifying and solving the problems.iv On the other hand, the leader in an organization is involved in the motivation and inspiration to the persons whom he leads in the organization. The leader inspires the employees and people in an organization to overcome the barriers and limits that may stand in the way of achieving change. The leader also satisfies the basic needs of employees in the organization and takes high-risk approach in solving problems. In the evaluation of vision outcomes, managers are involved in the provision of the expected results through consistency to the leadership and other stakeholders. Leaders on the other hand are involved in promotion of useful and dramatic changes in the organization. Benefits of Leadership and Management at IBM Most organizations or industries have made good use of leadership and management to derive much benefits associated with good leadership coupled with proper management. Research has shown that when a policy that emphasizes total quality management is employed in the organization, much benefit can be derived. This is through implementing a philosophy that is based on a set of principles that focuses on the customer, continuous improvement, involving everyone and management.v Through the differentiation of the often overlapping and interchangeable duties of a manager and a leader computer giant IBM has attained the best results from its employees at the same time encouraging creativity and innovation amongst the leadership and management of their organizations. Innovation initiated by the leaders at IBM has made them think horizontally in the sense that it has leveraged IBM’s enterprise capability to meet the needs of their clients and customers while at the same time market the available opportunities in new ways. It has also had the effect of increasing trust for long-term relationship between the company and the outside world. The benefits have also enabled growth through the changing of systems that impeded growth and performance. vi Creative Leadership Research has shown that at IBM, creating an atmosphere that encourages creativity and innovation as it encourages the coming up with unique things. It has adopted a strategy known as the Smarter Planet Strategy that encourages creativity in whatever the company comes up with better products.vii Creativity and innovation by leaders and managers has been found to be integral competencies and therefore it is perceived that they should teach the people they lead to have a look at the world in new ways by finding the desired patterns for improving the performance of an organization. This will help them probe new questions while at the same time generating new solutions.viii A report commissioned by The Centre for Creative Leadership in 2009 titled states that creativity and innovation coupled with great management and leadership helps organizations in achieving the desired results in an organization.ix Leaders are well aware that creativity and innovation forms the key pillar of the success of their organization. This is because new ideas brought about by creativity and innovation may bring new programs that are superior to the ones already in place in the organization. This therefore demands that any person involved in leadership of an organization searches for programs and ideas that are much finer or advanced as compared to the ones already employed at the organization to make it more efficient thus giving it a competitive edge over its peers. Leaders must therefore be in firm control of effecting any creativity process or undertakings that may be adopted by the organization. Therefore, progressive leadership creates an environment that encourages creativity and innovation that ultimately increases the productivity of the organization.x William further states that an important reason why organizations must initiate creativity in their leadership and management practice is to avoid the work they undertake from being rendered obsolete. Organizations that are not involved in the generation of a steady output of new programs and ideas, and continually focus on the old ideas and programs, it may run the risk of making the current work that they undertake obsolete. This therefore requires that in managing the programs and ideas brought by creativity, leaders should focus in bringing about changes that are geared towards attaining work that is of impeccable quality that is achieved through minimal costs and faster rates of completion. Creativity also increases the productivity of the organization in the sense that the output of work is increased. This is because it makes employees unlock their potential as they move out of their comfort zones and remove the beliefs that limit their performance and shift the paradigms associated with leadership and management. This results into the improving on the self-esteem of a person leading to meaningful outcomes and increased productivity. Creative leadership makes those involved find that they are no longer willing to put aside their values from the work that they are doing. This is because of a new strong urge to align the purpose of life to the work that they are assigned to make it more meaningful. Conclusion Leadership and management as carried out by leaders and managers respectively have related roles and play a role side by side in the running of an organization. In order to have the best results for the organization, the roles of leaders and managers must be appreciated as a whole in order to achieve the visions, missions and objectives of any organization. Works Cited Allan, Murray. What is the Difference Between Management and Leadership? The Wall Street Journal. n.d.Web. 4 June 2013. David, Horth and Dan Buchner. “Innovative Leadership”. Centre for Creative Leadership. 2009. Web. 4 June 2013. Frisch, Heath H. “Understanding Leader Problem-Solving Style Preferences in an Organizational Hierarchy. A Thesis in Creative Studies. 2009. Web. 4 June 2013. Linda, Tischler. IBM Management Makeover. As Its World Changes, IBM Is Studying Its Top- Performing Leaders. What Do They Do Differently, and Can Everyone Do It? Fast Company Magazine, November 2004. Web. 4 June 2013. “Manager to Leader: making the transition”. Financial World online. September 2007. Web. 4 June 2013. Read More