April 6, 2010

Making Work "Work": Resources for Busy Professionals

Are You a Manager or a Leader?

Managers and leaders are both responsible for motivating and guiding other people. The difference is a question of perspective. Here’s a look at some distinguishing factors that separate management from leadership:

• Managers set standards for performance; a leader sets a benchmark for excellence.
• Managers want employee compliance; leaders seek employee commitment.
• Managers have subordinates over whom they have formal authority; leaders have followers who are inspired to perform at their best.
• Managers try to avoid risks or minimize them; a leader looks for opportunities to try a new approach.
• Managers depend on their position to control employees; a leader builds a relationship based on trust.