People may use leadership and management interchangeably but the truth is they are very different roles that fulfill different needs in an organization.
Leadership
Those who study workplace dynamics describe leadership as having a vision and empowering people to make changes that move your organization toward that aspiration. It is important to note that leadership is not tied to your position within a company. It stems from social influence and your ability to lead without formal power. Leaders are agile, creative, and adapt to change. Here are the top traits to look for in a leader:
- Communication Skills: keeping their team informed of successes and challenges
- Creativity: thinking critically and challenging the status quo, and nurturing the team to do the same
- Inspiration: motivating their team to understand their roles and be team players
- Integrity: showing honesty and transparency
- Mentoring: helping their team grow to their full potential through coaching and guiding
- Problem-Solving: solving problems at a strategic and conceptual level
- Vision: charting a future path for themselves and their team
Management
Those who study workplace dynamics describe management as performing pre-planned tasks on a regular basis with the help of subordinates. A manager is assigned to the management role with a job description in place. They are responsible for carrying out the planning, organizing, leading, and controlling functions leading toward meeting organizational goals. Here are the top traits to look for in a manager:
- Delegating: reviewing day-to-day efforts and assigning projects to the best people for each role
- Developing the Team: supporting professional and career development of each team member, as well as providing opportunities for team building
- Executing: building a strategic goal and breaking it down into a roadmap for the team to follow
- Organizing: establishing efficiencies within the workplace and on the team
- Process Managing: establishing rules, procedures, and standards for the work at hand
- Providing Feedback: providing clear and relevant feedback to help their team members identify growth opportunities
Keep these characteristics in mind when developing your skills in these areas, and learn about leadership and management styles to discover one that works for you.
