By Phil Baker,
There are many cross over skills when comparing leadership vs management skills, though there are some strong distinctions. Many leaders and organizations recognize the principle of leadership as taught at WestPoint Military Academy that everyone is a leader in training. While not everyone will become a leader, this approach empowers people to make decisions, empathize with their authorities, recognize their strengths, and become better and more efficient soldiers or employees.
Differences exist in the approach, focus, and style of leadership vs management. Managers focus mostly on delegating, controlling, and supervising. Leaders focus mostly on their visions, decisions, motivating, and results.
Management Skills
A manager makes decisions about tasks, people, companies, and projects. A manager also delegates work and troubleshoots operations. Early management practices were designed to measure human productivity and improve effectiveness. People or employees were considered disposable, or replaceable. Paychecks and salaries were viewed strictly as expenses by companies. Little or no investment was made in the individuals other than the minimal training required to perform the tasks of their jobs.
Managers were charged with recording employees attendance, making sure quotas were met, and disciplining or terminating employees who did not meet expectations. This definition of management is simple and archaic. When this concept of management was developed there were no child labor laws.
The concept of management has evolved today to include such things as diversity training, motivational programs, human resource education, employee law, and skills development.
Management skills include following instructions, communication skills, attention to detail, responsibility, profit oriented or goal minded, team skills, and problem solving skills. Managers are expected to be self motivated and adept at a host of skills and abilities.
Leadership Skills
Leadership involves more than management. Leaders are innovative, passionate, and can solve problems and overcome challenges. Managers as well as most anyone can rise to the heights of leadership.
Leaders are expected to have vision. They see and understand the big picture of the organization and project at hand. What’s more they are communicators and can explain and clarify their vision to others.
Successful leaders empower their managers and employees. They understand that everyone is a leader in training, even though most will never be leaders. By empowering their people, they teach them to make choices, and become adept at decision making. Leaders understand that empowering others instills worth and value which will increase efficiency.
Successful leaders have passion. They have passion for their vision that is infectious and inspires others to follow. Their passion is not just demonstrated as emotion or enthusiasm but is shown in their every action and unrelenting persistence to achieve their goals.
Successful leaders have highly developed team skills. They drive, encourage, motivate, commend, and sometimes warn others to accomplish tasks and attain the vision. They credit their teams for the accomplishments and goals reached.
Successful leaders are responsible. They embrace accountability. They lead by example and hold themselves to strict standards of accountability and expect the same from their people. Successful leaders understand that accountability is empowering. Only by taking responsibility for decisions and actions can people have the power over them.
Copyright 2010 Resume Dictionary
Hyo’s Note – Not only is Phil the creator of the OneClick Cover Letter Creator Software Program (a ridiculous easy to use, yet effective software that creates cover letters tailored to your needs) which you can visit here, or you can read my review of it here, but he also has a tremendous website, www.ResumeDictionary.com. Resume Dictionary might just be the best, free resume resource site out there – jammed with great information and tips on getting your resume water tight and rocking.Â
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