Leader vs. Manager

To the success of any project; it is clear that the leadership is important to motivate people. However management is equally important because management is about getting tasks done.

Mangers do not like the change and they are willing to avoid conflicts whenever possible. Thus managers tend to avoid risks (risk averse). Unlike managers; successful leaders are risk takers. When a leader sets his/her vision, he/she knows that obstacles will be faced along the way. He/she sees these challenges as a path to his/her target.

The leader sets a vision or plan without considering too much how the vision or plan will be achieved. While the manager controls the resources to ensure that everything happens according to the plan.

A superior leader is people focused. He/she knows who are his/her team members, what their talents, what they like to accomplish, and then helps them to grow. However, the manager focuses on systems and structures and does not include human emotions into his/her decisions. He/she uses scientific methods to mange. Managers have responsibilities and are able to delegate. While leaders are example for others and don’t have large responsibilities. The Manager has subordinates who follow his/her rules whereas the leader has individuals who believe on what he/she says. Leaders work on long term goals while managers work on short term goals. Leaders consider chaos as opportunity to lead unlike managers who seek to convert the chaos quickly into order. Managers focus on efficiency; leaders focus on effectiveness. A leader looks for future and creates what work better, a manager worries about today and ensures things are working. Whereas the manager enforces the organizational rules; the leader change them. Managers give instructions, leaders create leaders and empower them.

As a conclusion, both manager and leader are important. Leaders set visions, then mangers work to achieve these visions, making sure that employees follow the policies and the...