Managers Are Not Always Leaders

Managers Are Not Always Leaders

Michael Cally

MG 401

8 November 2009

Managers Are Not Always Leaders

Peter F. Drucker once said, “Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.” (Famous Quotes and Quotations) Good managers do not have to be good leaders, but great leaders are often times good managers. To manage, as defined by Webster’s (2002), is “to control the movement or behavior of.” (386) On the other hand, to lead is defined as “to guide by influence.” (362) Many people confuse the concepts of both leadership and management, and most us the terms synonymously. In fact, there is a huge difference between managing and leading. This paper will guide you through many of the differences between the two to include their focus, involvement in change, risk assumption

A manager focuses on the business aspect, removes emotion, and centralizes all energy in completing and fulfilling the objectives of the business. Their focus is on the what, when and where things are done; hence the name time management. They are charged with keeping a timeline, maintaining order, and strictly follow the book. A manager is responsible for making sure that there are sufficient people and resources needed to get the day to day job done, and more importantly ensure these people stay on task. They enable workers by providing them with the resources to accomplish the tasks they are required to perform. A manager will understand the position, but may not necessarily understand the people doing the job. A mistake made by a lot of companies is placing a manager in a leadership position. A manager may organize duty positions and direct others to perform a task, but will fall short in matching the right person for the right job. Managers will be put in power position and will be respected merely for that power, but that does not equate to leadership.

While a manager’s focus is business, a leader’s focus is people. A leader will place their focus is on...