Difference between Leader and Manager
| Basis | Leader | Manager |
|---|---|---|
|
Meaning |
A leader is a person who leads a particular team and influences it’s team members to perform well and achieve the goal. | A manager is a person who manages the organization or a project by planning, giving direction, maintaining coordination and control. |
|
Focus |
A leader focuses to satisfy behaviour of each and every member of group and realisation of group goals. |
A manager focuses on influencing the behaviour of employees to achieve the goals of the organisation. |
|
Scope |
A leader is not always a manager. Non-managers may lead informal groups. |
A manager is always a leader as he has to influence behaviour of his subordinates. |
|
Formal or Informal organisation |
A leader may exist in formal as well as informal organisation. |
A manager exists only in formal organisation. |
|
Authority |
A leader has only informal authority arising due to trust and faith shown by group members. |
A manager has formal authority to influence behaviour of the employees. |
| Process | Leaders process are transformational as they develop vision and find a way forward to achieve the goal. So a leader always looks after a team. | Managers process are transactional as they delegate tasks, meet objectives. So a manager oversees a team |
| Skills | A leader exhibits strategic view, team management, open mind and promotes innovation. | A manager exhibits organizational skills, management skills, problem solving skills and conformity. |
|
Approach |
A leader always says “We”, where the subordinates are followers or team members. |
A manager always says “I”, where the subordinates are the employees. |
| Circle | Leaders create circles of influence and lead by inspiring. They mainly shape the culture and drive integrity. | Managers create circles of power and lead by authority. They mainly enact the existing culture and maintain status quo. |
| Decision Making | A leader mainly facilitates the decisions. | A manager mainly facilitates the decisions. |
Difference between Leader and Manager
A Manager and a Leader are often confused as the same. However, both of them have some dissimilarities. A leader is a person, who sets a direction to achieve a goal. He promotes change and uses conflicts as an asset. A leader facilitates the decisions, whereas a manager is a person, who sets instructions to do a project. He reacts to change and avoids conflict. A manager mostly makes decisions.
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