The Different Concepts of Leadership

The Different Concepts of Leadership

  • Submitted By: sergeds
  • Date Submitted: 03/18/2009 1:40 PM
  • Category: English
  • Words: 793
  • Page: 4
  • Views: 608

Concepts of Leadership Difference Between Management And Leadership Leadership and management are two notions that are often used interchangeably. However, these words actually describe two different concepts. By definition, managers have subordinates - unless their title is honorary and given as a mark of seniority, in which case their power over others is other than formal authority. Managers have a position of authority vested in them by the company, and their subordinates work for them and largely do as they are told. Management style is transactional, in that the manager tells the subordinate what to do, and the subordinate does this not because they are a blind robot, but because they have been promised a reward (at minimum their salary) for doing so. Managers are paid to get things done (they are subordinates too), often within tight constraints of time and money. They thus naturally pass on this work focus to their subordinates. Leaders do not have subordinates - at least not when they are leading. Many organizational leaders do have subordinates, but only because they are also managers. But when they want to lead, they have to give up formal authoritarian control, because to lead is to have followers, and following is always a voluntary activity. Telling people what to do does not inspire them to follow you. You have to appeal to them, showing how following them will lead to their hearts' desire. They must want to follow you enough to stop what they are doing and perhaps walk into danger and situations that they would not normally consider risking. Leadership is just one of the many assets a successful manager must possess. Care must be taken in distinguishing between the two concepts. The main aim of a manager is to maximise the output of the organisation through administrative implementation. Leadership is just one important component of the directing function. A manager cannot just be a leader, he also needs formal authority to be effective. For...

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