Yesterdays post focused on the concept of a manager.  There was a time that C series positions in organizations were considered senior managers.

Today it’s more likely to hear them referred to as leaders.  In fact from senior to mid levels of management, even low level managers and some supervisors are thought of as leaders.

Leader/Manager, what’s the diff?

While both leaders and managers get things done through others, that is where the similarity ends.  The difference is both what is done and how it is enabled.

Managers use planning (schedule/ strategy), organizing (processes/ policy/reporting lines) and control ( monitoring/governance) to get the work done, make sure it is the right work and done efficiently with high quality.

Leaders collaborate, motivate, communicate (two way), understand, guide, facilitate and so on.  These practices, particularly enabling the creation  of visions and strategies to inform the tactical work, are intended to get work done through others, but are believed to be far more effective than just planning organizing and directing.

As I noted yesterday neither leaders nor managers typically physically perform the work they are getting done through others.  Their work, and this applies to both roles, is ensuring the right work is done in the best way. (Best meaning highly satisfactory to all stakeholders).

Understanding the Principal

While leadership practices outshine basic management, understanding the core principal in basic terms, i.e., the goal is to get work done through others, is absolutely fundamental and key to becoming effective as a leader.

First management basics, second leadership.