Is leadership a higher calling than management? This topic is somewhat controversial. Many who weigh in position themselves on one side of what they see as the great chasm that yawns between leadership and management. They tend to praise leadership and look down their noses at “inferior” management. However, even though leadership and management are not exactly similar, they are both necessary and essential for any organization to function well.
It’s not difficult to unearth examples of alluring leaders who ultimately led their followers to disaster or gifted managers who did not have the skills necessary to inspire and lead. This post will discuss what differentiates leadership and management and why it might be optimum to have a combination of both.
What Is Leadership?
Leaders are able to persuade others to aim for a common goal. Leaders tend to have a vision and share three characteristics:
They can inspire others to have faith in their vision.
They are able to encourage and motivate others to follow them in pursuit of that vision.
They assist others in eliminating stumbling blocks along the path leading to the fulfillment of that vision.
Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want
done because he wants to do it. - President Dwight D. Eisenhower
Three Leaders That Inspired Others
Let’s look at how a trio of great leaders achieved their visions.
Mahatma Gandhi’s vision was to free his country, India, from the British Raj. He led the Indian campaign for independence by employing nonviolent actions of civil disobedience. Gandhi was faced with the staggering challenge of trying to unite a country that contained many competing factions and religions. Through his visionary leadership, he inspired the Indian population to set aside what divided them and focus on what all groups had in common.
Martin Luther King, Jr.’s vision was to win civil rights for the black people of the United States. He also used nonviolent methods to work toward his goal. King had to meet the challenge of diverse groups within the movement, some of whom did not go along with his philosophy of nonviolence. As a leader with great powers of oratory, he used this skill to focus attention on the second-class status of black people in the United States so that, in time, this could no longer be ignored.
Maria Theresa is not someone you may have heard of. However, she earned the accolade of outstanding leadership after becoming the head of state of Austria in 1740. At the time she ascended to the throne, Austria was poorly governed and in financial straits. She possessed the leadership skills necessary to put together a contingent of skilled advisors to whom she delegated responsibilities. She turned around the flailing economy, modernized the military, and mandated education for women. All of this while birthing sixteen children and coping with a couple of wars!
What Is Management?
Management is concerned with regulating or dealing with people or things. The emphasis here tends toward things rather than people. Managers need to be methodical and approach things in a systematic manner – they need skills pertaining to organization, planning, and coordination. They also need to be analytical so that they can take the measure of their progress and make any necessary adaptations.
What’s measured gets improved. - Peter F. Druker, Management Consultant
Three Great Managers
Highly successful managers often have more laurels heaped upon them than great political or social leaders. Let’s look at three of the greatest.
Henry Ford introduced the United States to car culture. Not only that, his approach to the manufacture of automobiles influenced many other industries. Ford’s production approach was a revolution at the time – the creation of the modern assembly line. This innovation brought about an increase in efficiencies and a reduction in the cost of manufacturing materials. The final result was a product that could be affordable to the average US citizen.
Walt Disney began his working life as an accomplished cartoonist but, over time, became an unmatchable figure in the realm of global entertainment. His success was achieved by his managerial ability to recognize and utilize the talent of others. He assembled and oversaw teams that created a collection of iconic motion picture characters that are recognizable worldwide.
Madam C.J. Walker is a name you are probably not familiar with. During the latter part of the nineteenth and early twentieth century, this African-American woman created and marketed hair products for an underserved market - African-American women such as herself. She is a perfect example of someone with managerial gifts who recognized a neglected niche and had the entrepreneurial and management skills to fill it successfully.
Why Combined Leadership and Management Skills May Be Best
You have probably realized from the above examples that certain attributes belong to both strong leaders and effective managers. In fact, it is often necessary, according to circumstances, for leaders and managers to function in both roles at different points in their careers.
So, What Is Our Conclusion?
It’s clear that an exceptional leader is not more worthy than an accomplished manager or vice-versa. Therefore, any person whose job includes responsibility for others will be more effective if they possess a blending of leadership and management skills in varying proportions depending upon their position and circumstances.
At Shaping Development our vision leads us to help individuals and organizations shape their personal or organizational skills. Whether you are a leader or a manager, or you realize you sometimes need to be both, we can help you become more effective. Get in touch with us for more information.