Manager Vs Leader

Introduction: Manager Vs Leader is perhaps a debate that’s as old as the history of modern business organization. Manager and Leader have distinct traits. There are fundamental differences in the way of thinking and executing things. An Organization needs both leaders and managers. Both have their value.

Definition:

Manager: A person responsible for controlling or administering all or part of an organization.

Leader: A person who leads or commands a group, organization, or country.

Need for Managers and Leaders in an Organization:

An Organization needs both leaders and managers. Both have their value. Managers get things done efficiently and effectively. Leader has a creative mind and is constantly thinking of changing and improving the way things are done. If an organization wants to be great and build a great culture, it has to have both managers and leaders. The risk is higher if an organization has too many managers or too many leaders. The reasons behind is a manager is a stabilizer and ensures a smooth flow of functioning of things. On the other hand, leader is an innovator and too many leaders make a risky scenario. It leads to unstability and often mutual clashes.

Managers Vs Leaders:

Manager	Leader
A person becomes a manager by virtue of position.	A person becomes a leader on basis of personal qualities.
Detail oriented	Big picture
Follows vision	Builds vision
Focus on task, process and results	Focus on people, progress and achievements
Adverse risk	Risk taking
Involved in decision making	Facilitative in decision making
People follow managers by virtue of position	People follow leaders on voluntary basis
Accepts the status quo	Challenges the status quo
Does the things right	Does the right thing
Criticize the mistakes	Call attention to mistakes indirectly
takes credit for success	Credit their teams for success
Don’t reward team members	Reward team members even for a small achievement