The difference between a leader and a manager can be viewed at different angles, and it can be about value, work, people, power or influence. Leaders create value to people in “leading by example and leading by enabling people as the hallmarks of leadership” (Nayar, 2013, para 4) while managers count people’s value based on work and builds power on positions and titles. A leader can be anyone; it can be a manager, co-worker, and staff. Leadership by example creates a better environment in an organization. Leaders influence others to maximize efforts towards achieving a goal (Kruse, 2013, p. 2).
Some managers that I encounter are direct and difficult to approach, and they sometimes create a wall or barrier between the people under them which results in a negative work environment. Having enthusiasm, better communication, team delegation, and being accountable are what leaders should essentially have (Ryan, 2015). That is why managers sometimes can’t be a leader. Managers focus on delivering tasks and projects on time, tells people on what to do and how to do it, which makes them different from a leader because leaders make people excited when working on a new project, even it has a tight deadline. Leaders inspire, motivate and builds a positive relationship within an organization. They bind people together and works with them to achieve goals.
References
Kruse, K. (2013). What is leadership? Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/kevinkruse/2013/04/09/what-is-leadership
Nayar, V. (2013). Three Differences Between Managers and Leaders. Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2013/08/tests-of-a-leadership-transiti
Ryan, L. (2015). What’s The Difference Between A Manager And A Leader? Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/lizryan/2015/12/09/whats-the-difference-between-a-manager-and-a-leader
