There always is an array of confusion when anyone examines and tries to define management and leadership. Sometimes they are thought of as the same, and often they are thought of as balanced. It is true that managers and leaders can make or break the organization’s goals and objectives. But are they the same? Is there commonality?
Managers typically are stereotyped as bottom-liners; systems- focused administrators, and procedure and process experts. Leaders are often defined as charismatic, passionate, personable, and visionary.
How about this? Leaders must have the basic skills to manage, but all managers are not leaders.
Of course, there are bad leaders and there are bad managers. Dale Carnegie once said, “Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain – and most fools do.” No one in a position of authority is perfect.
Let’s examine some common principles of effective management.
- Great Attitude: A great attitude in any situation goes a long way. Managers who are willing to keep their personal “issues” out of business decisions make better decisions.
- Dependable: Being counted on is a great manager trait. If the workforce knows management is always there making the best call possible in decision making and problem solving, productivity thrives.
- Knowledgeable: Being a student of the business, the industry, and the competition is essential.
- Positive: The glass has to be half-full and not half-empty when looking at numbers and results.
- Interpersonal: The skill of keeping and building relationships is needed now more than ever in the multicultural and diverse universe we call business.
- Team-focused: Treating everyone the same, yet realizing that differences build great teams are the attributes of excellent management.
- Trust/ Integrity: The central success ingredient for every manager is the ability of people to believe. Not everyone does it well.
Opportunity and achievement often will tie management with leader. To be good at both, training and practice are essential. They must complement each other and in these times, they must value each other.
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