Traits of Managers versus Leaders

Written by Judy W Bell on March 16, 2011. Posted in Leadership, Management

A helpful way to look at the difference between management and leadership is to look at actionable words or verbs that often separate the two. Below are some typical words that can be associated with each.

Management:

Short-term focus
Objectives
Controls
Tracks
Organizes
Follow the rules
Authority
Reactive
Transactional
Who did it?

Leadership:

Long-term focus
Vision
Unleashes passion in others
Creates change environment
Creates safe environment
Colors off the page
Charismatic
Pro-active
Relationship driven
Why not?

Again, in a well organized world both managers and leaders are necessary. Sometimes you can move from manager to leader or from leader to manager. A Success Habit– in most cases-is to remain in one place or the other for the majority of your time.