subject: Differences Between Management and Leadership [print this page] Many people tend to mix both the termsMany people tend to mix both the terms. However, these are not terms with same meaning. Both of these have difference and in this article I have discussed the major differences between the management and leadership so that we do not these words as alternatives.
Focus:
The focus of management is to manage the work within the short deadlines as they are paid for this. Leadership is about leading the people; leaders influence their followers by the leading from the front. They motivate people.
Rewards and Punishment:
In the old days, people were given punishments for not achieving the results or not completing the tasks within deadlines. But leadership has changed this routine. Now people are not only rewarded for their achievements but if they fail to complete a task they are given negative punishments like less increase in salary than others, no bonuses etc. So leadership has changed the whole scenario. And this way people have become more motivated.
Vision:
Leadership has a long term vision. Leaders forecast the future whereas management tends to have a short term vision. It is more concerned with the implementation rather than the vision. Managers deal with the things as they come along their way.
Courage
A leader is ready to take risks. He has the courage to do it and do it in an unconventional way just like an entrepreneur. Managers do not have the courage to take risks so they follow the pre-determined way of doing the work.
Proactive and Reactive:
Leaders have the courage to follow unconventional strategies therefore they are more proactive. They predict the future and makeup for the things before actually they happen. Managers on the other hand tend to wait until the very last moment to change their method or approach
Credit and Blame:
Management blames the sub-ordinates for failure whereas a leader takes the blame on him. Management gets the credit for a good result whereas leaders give the credit to its followers.
Creativity
Management does not teach to be creative but to follow the already established patterns whereas leadership is about innovation and creativity. It is about doing it in a different and unique manner. That's why it is said that the leaders originates and managers imitates.
