Organizational Theories

Managing and Leading 1

Management and Leadership

Rachael Wright

MGT 330

Professor: Heike Soeffker- Culicerto

August 25, 2007

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Abstract

Are you a leader, or a manager? The main difference between Management and Leadership is that a leader act out the skills that most managers have in order to obtain organizational goals. No one can lead without being criticized or without facing discouragement. Not everybody with practical ideas is a leader, of course, but leaders seem to be able to identify which ideas are practical and which aren't. A potential leader needs a mental toughness that Managers will set goals for a team or organization to be met, but a leader will use their skills to create a learning environment at all times and also help guide the team to better their performances and set standards, not just meet it. Managers contribute to the success of the company by using their 'positional power' to direct, supervise and manage the resources of an organization. a manger is a person that achieves company objectives through the actions and efforts of their subordinates. Successful managers contribute to the company's bottom line by ensuring their assigned staff meets the department's business objectives. Although managers have many other responsibilities like assigning resources, handling grievances, solving problems, briefing executives and writing reports - let's focus on those things that affect people. Good managers get the most out of their people because they

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Management and Leadership

The Oxford Dictionary defines a manager as "a person controlling or administering a business or part of a business"(p.362). There are many effective managers out in the business world today, but they aren't leaders. The same dictionary also goes to define a leader as "a person who is followed"(p.339). This doesn't mean that leaders are more important than managers. They are both equally needed to ensure the functioning of the organization is kept on the road to meeting the goals set by the upper management levels. In fact, most organizations have shift leaders that fall under department managers to help in reaching the set goals. The army definition of leadership is "influencing people-by providing purpose, direction and motivation-while operating to accomplish the mission and improving the organization"(FM 22-100,p.1-4). Today's managers are required to fill positions with people that have the prerequisites for the job, but the leader is there to inspire the group or individuals to meet the vision that is set by leaders to help ensure the organizational goals are met. This vision is a long-term image of the leaders ambitions for the organization. In an article by Pat Wiesner he quoted some sayings by Sir H. G. Selfridge by saying:

Ð'* " A manager drives people, a leader coaches.

Ð'* A manager relies on authority, a leader on goodwill.

Ð'* The manager says I, and the leader says we.

Ð'* The manager fixes the blame while the leader resolves the problem.

Ð'* The manager knows, the leader shows.

Ð'* The manager says go, the leader says let's go."

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These are all good questions that we can ask ourselves to do a self-evaluation to find out if we are a leader, or just a manager (March 2002).

The Role of a Leader

Since a leader is always being looked at, they must set the example in all that they do. They do this while also helping the team achieve the organizational goal that is set forth. Basically a leader is someone who is looked up to, a mentor. A leader must create vision that is understood by all the team members. This vision is a way of motivating your team members to achieve the organizational goals that are set forth by the middle and upper management. Also, a leader will develop their subordinates to become leaders by empowering them through delegation. When delegating task down to your team members, you allow them to use their creativity to work different angles and to try different methods than the norms to complete the task and reach the desired goal. A leader must work hand and hand with their team to constantly guide and direct them through out all the task given to them.

The Responsibility of a Leader

The responsibility of a leader is one that should not be taken lightly. As a matter of fact, many effective managers that strive to become a leader never make it. One of the main responsibilities of leaders is to ensure that they have a trained and proficient team. A leader should always assess their team and then give classes that help cover the faults found. A leader will also want to cover classes that will help the team sustain their strengths. An easy way to make an assessment of your team is to simply be

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around them through out the workday. A true leader is accessible to their team at all times. By being able to be reached, a leader can also guide their team by helping them

Work through any problems that may arise. Another responsibility of a leader is that they