Leadership and Management

 

Over the last week or so I've been following a pretty interesting thread on Linkedin's Project Manager Networking Group.  The Question was asked, "What is the difference between a manager and a leader?"  As of this morning, there are about 68 replies.  I thought it might be interesting to offer up a few of them to see what you think:

1. "Why can't a manager be a leader as well?  All strong managers wold lead by example and have a vision for the future.  A manager should always excel themselves by having the qualities of a leader?" —Brad P.
2. "A manager says I, a leader says we." —Muder K.
3. "A manager implements a process or methodology to ensure governance and control.  A leader influences others by personal traits, behaviors, and attitudes." —Ross H.
4. "A manager gets the work done as per requirements, a leader motivates people to think out of the box to find solutions to problems." —Shalini J.
5. "Management is related to process.  Leadership is related to people." —Keith P.
6. "'Manager' is a label that is assigned.  'Leader' is a label that is earned." —Derek P.
7. "Leadership is where management hopes to go." —Slavko L.
8. "The difference to me is irrelevant because a PM has to be both." —Denise C.
9. "Managers manage—leaders inspire." Fred W.
10. "Management is a position.  Leadership is a philosophy.  Direct and do—versus—inspire and do." —Carol D.
11. "Leaders make the 'pie' bigger.  Managers oversee an ever decreasing pie." —Terry C.
12. "Leaders create change." —Nita G.

Henry Ford once said, "Coming together is a beginning.  Keeping together is progress.  Working together is success."

As more and more organizations turn to project management methodologies to improve productivity in their organizations, the need for project managers to become better leaders is increasingly important.  There were some in the Linkedin group who suggested that the discussion was simply a matter of semantics, while others argued that what made really great project managers were their leadership skills.  I tend to agree with the later.  The truly great project managers I know are all great leaders.  And there is a difference.

What do you think?  Share your thoughts here and let's keep the discussion going.