Jane Littmann

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  • in reply to: Good Leader vs Good Manager #2749

    Jane Littmann
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    I don’t think the distinction is anchored in the type of business, but I see why the businesses you suggest might connote ground-breaking innovation vs outdated obsolete commercial enterprise, though there are constantly impressive innovations being made in both. (Having recently toured one of the largest coal producing mines in the US for several hours, one could argue that to lead in that industry, in a political climate opposed to their efforts, requires particularly good leadership to maintain jobs, demand, etc.)

    While I’m not familiar with the literature, my quick impression is that there is a lot of overlap in the terms Leader and Manager, and that a CEO’s position entails both, with variations according to how their particular organization and position are structured. Both involve being in charge, being the head, overseeing and supervising, making the organization or department function well, directing others, being the responsible boss of the operation. The distinction of Leadership entails Followership. To lead is to get people to follow, to fall in line behind, to provide/ establish a direction of where the group is going. This may be a good or bad direction, but the leader is effective if others are following in that direction. Organizationally, management and leadership are generally intertwined, as a manager is in charge of getting whatever component or whole business they are managing to operate effectively. The managerial aspect seems to highlight the administrative focus on doing the task at hand (getting it done) with sufficient coordination and competence that the component or organization operates adequately or well. The leadership aspect highlights the goal, direction, mission, vision, purpose, significance, and typically inspires or adds motivation to follow the leadership in the direction provided.

    This seems to fit with the synonyms and definitions I found.

    Leader: Front-runner, spearhead, trailblazer, head, manager, organizer, principal, chief, boss, director, guide, mentor, guru, adviser, superior, kingpin, person in charge, top dog. Somebody whom people follow- somebody who guides or directs others. Somebody or something in the lead- somebody or something in front of all the others, e.g. in a race or procession. Somebody in charge of others. The head of a nation, political party, legislative body, or military unit. Musical conductor. Principal musician. (And other more specialized meanings.)

    Manager: Boss, director, executive, administrator, supervisor, leader, chief, superior. Organizer of business. Somebody who is responsible for directing and controlling the work and staff of a business, or of a department within it. Competent handler- Somebody who handles or controls something, especially somebody who works skillfully. A computer program for basic computer operations, etc.

    –Jane

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