Jean’s definition Difference between Management and Leadership

What’s the difference and relationship between ‘management’ and ‘leadership’?

There is a close relationship – but they can indeed be separated.

‘Management’ = achieving agreed objectives with and through people, involving:

  • adequate time
  • trialing and refining of ideas
  • delegating the right tasks to the right people at the right time in the right way
  • adequate, available and appropriate resources
  • clear policies, procedures and workpractices that contribute to continuous quality improvement
  • adequate and appropriate financial and administrative systems, tools – and competencies
  • clear and open communication
  • negotiation and supervision

‘Management’ is a combination of ensuring job satisfaction for staff, and meeting organisational demands

‘Leadership’ = ability to inspire other people to work together as a team, following your lead in order to attain a common objective, involving:

  • interpersonal skills, including listening, questioning, observing, communicating
  • willingness to learn as well as lead
  • ability to relate effectively to a variety of behaviours, personalities, contexts and constraints
  • commitment to building and maintaining relationships
  • understanding the willingness, ability and commitment of ‘followers’ (you cannot be a leader if others are not prepared or willing to follow your lead)
  • acceptance of limitations

‘Leadership’ is a combination of productivity and innovation