| It is a common belief that management and | | | | How does this affect you as a leader? Are you |
| leadership are the same role. While it is common | | | | spending your time managing people when you |
| that a manager also plays the part of the leader, | | | | should be making sure that the road ahead is the |
| these two roles are truly separate in function and | | | | one that you want to be on? To expect to be an |
| in the way they add to the success of an | | | | effective leader you must present a clear vision |
| orginization. By understanding the difference | | | | and a trail you are willing to walk on first. While |
| between management and leadership you will | | | | there are times when it is appropriate for a leader |
| become more effective in helping others see the | | | | to fill a management role, it is vital to understand |
| road ahead. | | | | the difference between leadership and |
| To understand the difference between | | | | management so you can be effective no matter |
| management and leadership, consider the | | | | which role you happen to be filling at a given time. |
| construction of a new road. To build that road | | | | If you are a leader overseeing managers, it is |
| there are workers, machinery and tools which are | | | | important that you provide them with the correct |
| all vital in the road's construction. Managers help | | | | perspective so they may be effective in their |
| ensure those workers, machinery and tools work | | | | management role. Don't manage the managers. |
| together in the most efficient way possible. A | | | | Lead them. |
| manager makes sure those workers are | | | | If you are not in a formal leadership role, it is also |
| well-trained, motivated, rested and that they | | | | important that you understand that when a |
| know what they're supposed to do next. The | | | | leadership opportunity arises there is a difference |
| manager does the same thing with the tools and | | | | between being a leader and managing the effort. |
| the machinery to make sure that they're working | | | | Even if you end up filling both sets of shoes it's |
| correctly and that the workers are able to use | | | | important to understand the difference in roles in |
| them efficiently and safely. This is the role of | | | | order to fill them effectively. If, on the other |
| management. On the other hand, a leader makes | | | | hand, you learn how to lead by showing people |
| sure that the road is going in the right direction | | | | that you are walking down the right road, you will |
| before the construction begins. That leader also | | | | become a natural leader and will be able to help |
| monitors conditions in new situations to ensure | | | | many others find success as your achieve your |
| that the road under construction is still the correct | | | | own. |
| one and is still going in the right direction. | | | | |