Leecoker case

Essay by 33a33b33cUniversity, Master'sA-, April 2008

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LEARNING ISSUES

1.1. What is the difference between Leadership and Management?

Leadership and management are two notions that are often used interchangeably. However, these words actually describe two different concepts:

Leadership is a facet of management

Leadership is just one of the many assets a successful manager must possess. Care must be taken in distinguishing between the two concepts. The main aim of a manager is to maximize the output of the organization through administrative implementation. To achieve this, managers must undertake the following functions:

organisation

planning

staffing

directing

controlling

Leadership is just one important component of the directing function. A manager cannot just be a leader; he also needs formal authority to be effective. "For any quality initiative to take hold, senior management must be involved and act as a role model. This involvement cannot be delegated."

In some circumstances, leadership is not required. For example, self motivated groups may not require a single leader and may find leaders dominating.

The fact that a leader is not always required proves that leadership is just an asset and is not essential.

Differences in Perspectives

Managers think incrementally, whilst leaders think radically. "Managers do things right, while leaders do the right thing." This means that managers do things by the book and follow company policy, while leaders follow their own intuition, which may in turn be of more benefit to the company. A leader is more emotional than a manager. "Men are governed by their emotions rather than their intelligence". This quotation illustrates why teams choose to follow leaders.

Subordinate As a Leader

Often with small groups, it is not the manager who emerges as the leader. In many cases it is a subordinate member with specific talents who leads the group in a certain direction. "Leaders must let vision,