Leadership vs. Management
Much has been written about the difference between management and leadership. In the
past, competent management staffs ran effective companies. In light of our ever-changing
world, however, most companies have come to realize that it is much more important to
lead than to manage. In todays world the old ways of management no longer work. One
reason is that the degree of environmental and competitive change we are experiencing is
extreme. Although exciting, the world is also very unstable and confused. In an article
entitled Whats the Difference between Your Hospital and the Other? Gary Campbell states
that the difference between a manager and a leader is that the manager “finds himself quite
willing to take risk, but seemingly afraid to take the risk of being different.” That being
true, a manager will always be reactive instead of proactive. A true leader will be
proactive. He will embrace change and will look for ways to differentiate himself and his
company from the competition.
Warren Bennis a popular writer of leadership resources defines the difference between
managers and leaders by using the following contrasts:
1. The manager administers; the leader innovates.
2. The manager maintains; the leader develops.
3. The manager accepts reality; the leader investigates it.
4. The manager focuses on systems and structures; the leader focuses on people.
5. The manager relies on control; the leader inspires trust.
6. The manager has a short-range view; the leader has a long-range perspective.
7. The manager asks how and when; the leader asks what and why.
8. The manager has his or her eye always on the bottom line; the leader has his or her eye
