Ever wonder if you are more manager than leader, or vice-versa, or a combination of both? Is there a difference between a manager and leader in the first place? We often use the terms interchangeably, wanting our managers to lead and our leaders to manage and assuming they will do both. But is that a valid assumption? Are they really the same or are they different?  

Dictionary Definitions

To inform this argument, let’s examine the official definitions of leader and manager.  The American Heritage Dictionary defines these terms as follows:

1. Leader:   One that leads or guides.  One who is in charge or in command of others.

1. Manager:  One who handles, controls or directs, especially one who directs a business or other enterprise.  One who controls resources and expenditures, as of a household.

A distinction appears in the official dictionary definition and many researchers and writers would agree.   Additional definitions and views include:

What is a manager?

A manager is someone who is great at logistics.  The manager’s job is to plan, organize and coordinate.  Managers are good at solving problems, answering questions and focusing on the day-to-day details of the operation. 

What is a leader?

According  Matt Tenny in the Huffington Post  “we are only leaders when people willingly follow us and we are able to influence people’s behavior in a way that is mutually beneficial for both the leader and follower.”  A leader, therefore, is a visionary who focuses on the big picture.  A leader’s job is to inspire and motivate.  A leader influences others by focusing on what is important.  A leader has followers, not necessarily because they have a direct report relationship but because the follower has a strong belief in what the leader believes.  Leaders inspire and empower their employees to solve problems independently.  Leaders focus on employee growth and development.

Warren Bennis composed the following list of differences in his 1989 book On Becoming a Leader:

1. The manager focuses on systems and structure; the leader focuses on people

1. The manager relies on control; the leader inspires trust

1. The manager asks how and when; the leader asks what and why

1. The manager accepts status quo; the leader challenges it

1. The manager does things right; the leader does the right thing.

Can managers be leaders and leaders managers?

All managers aren’t necessarily leaders and leaders aren’t necessarily managers.  A person can be a leader and not have direct report responsibility.  In today’s challenging work environments the skills of both leaders and managers are valuable.  The late Peter Drucker  was one of the best-known and influential thinkers and writers on management theory and practice. Upon coining the term “knowledge worker,” Drucker suggested the workforce needed more than just someone to tell them what to do but rather someone to lead and inspire them to do it. Successful managers need not only focus on day-to- day operations and efficiency of workers but develop skills and inspire results in today’s workplace. 

So which one are you? Or are you both?

Sources:   inc.com,  Fast Company.com,  wsj.com, huffingtonpost.com,