The characteristics of leaders and managers
You have just seen how Kotter associated different characteristics to leaders and managers. Lunenburg (2011) looked at leadership and management as different ends of a spectrum, suggesting that a person (or business executive) does things or conducts themselves in a different way, depending on if they tend towards leadership or management. His ideas are summarised below:
| Category | Leadership | Management |
|---|---|---|
| Thinking process | Focuses on people Looks outward |
Focuses on things Looks inward |
| Goal setting | Articulates a vision Creates the future Sees the forest |
Executes plans Improves the present Sees the trees |
| Employee relations | Empowers colleagues Trusts and develops |
Controls Subordinates Directs and coordinates |
| Operation | Does the right things Creates change Serves subordinates |
Does things right Manages change Serves superordinates |
| Governance | Uses influence Uses conflict Acts decisively |
Uses authority Avoids conflict Acts responsibly |
References
Lunenburg, F.C. (2011) ‘Leadership versus Management: A Key Distinction – at Least in Theory’. International Journal of Management, Business, and Administration 14 (1), 2
International Leadership: The Evolution of Management and Leadership Theory
International Leadership: The Evolution of Management and Leadership Theory
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