Jean Roberts

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