All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players.
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts…
William Shakespeare, “As You Like It”
What are the major differences between a leader and a manager? Do you view the two roles as simply variations of the same theme or do they each take on a life of their own?
The word manager has its root in the Latin word manus, meaning, “hand.” From that root it branches etymologically into the Italian word Maneggiare and the French word Manege which means training and directing horses in the riding school. In the 19th century horsepower was crucial so the role was very important. In contrast, to the etymological root of manager, the word leader comes from the Anglo-Saxon word “lead”, meaning “path.” The verb “laeden” means, “to travel.” This etymological origin suggests a more distant, long-term orientation than merely teaching a horse how to behave. Below, I’ve listed some of the variations that are made between leaders and managers:
- Leaders are interested in change, while managers prefer stability
- Leaders tend to be long-term oriented, while managers focus on the short term
- Leaders know how to empower subordinates, while managers prefer to control
- Leaders are caught up in vision, while manager’s focus on instructions
- Leaders are interested in the future, while managers focus on the present
What comes across is that we need both leaders and managers. Being an idea person is creditable, but they must fit into reality. Visionary leaders don’t actually lead unless they take the steps needed to implement their vision. While executives tend to choose the role of leader or manager, it is paramount that they begin to embrace both.
Are you primarily a leader or a manager? Circle the word/s in either column A or B; depending on which option more closely reflects your outlook.
In running my organization or business unit:
If most of your responses fell in the B column, you tend to be leadership oriented. If they fell more often in the A column, you tend to be management oriented. If you were often unable to decide between the two options, you share both orientations equally. Being in that position may lead to greater organizational effectiveness.
