Management and Leadership

Essay by hotrod02University, Bachelor'sB+, November 2009

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For many years people have argued about one of many burning questions. The burning question I will discuss is whether there is a difference between management and leadership. Although there are people who still think that there aren't any differences between the two, I believe that there are many. After many hours of research I have found many differences between the two I am convinced that there is a difference between the two. My goal is to show the difference between the two, provide examples of the roles and responsibilities of leaders in creating and maintaining a healthy organizational culture and give recommendations.

Management vs. LeadershipWhile both are important, there is a great difference between management and leadership. "To manage means to bring about, to accomplish, to have charge of or responsibility for, to conduct. Leading is influencing, guiding in a direction, course, action, opinion. The distinction is crucial" (Bennis, 2003).

People should recognize leadership and management serve two different functions. This is similar to saying that they serve two different purposes. Leadership promotes new direction while management executes existing directions as efficiently as possible. The work of a manager does only perform task such as monitoring daily tasks and operations. It consists of getting the most complex tasks done also such as putting a man on the moon or designing a more efficient electric car. Management is mostly seen as task-oriented, controlling and insensitive to people's needs. On the other hand, leaders usually described as emotionally engaging, visionary and inspiring. An inspiring manager can motivate people to work hard to get a job done while an inspiring leader stimulates us to change direction.

Management vs. Leadership ExamplesManagement administrates and leaders innovate. Managers are a copy while leaders are original. Management focus on systems and structure and leaders focus on...