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Is leadership an independent skill or is a set of skills?

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Luis Flores Lima, Lima, Peru
I usually ask students about soft skills required by project managers and of course leadership is one of the first, but in order to be a leader I think that you need to develop many other soft skills like communication, emotional intelligence, motivation, decision making, etc.
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Rolf Dieter Zschau Business Analysis & Solution Lead| Volkswagen Group Charging GmbH Unterschleissheim, Germany
Aug 16, 2016 4:09 AM
Replying to Christina de Vries
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For me the mindset distinguishes a leader from the manager. Some posted specific skills, but those apply to both in my opinion. The leader has a different perspective and approach and this is due to a different mindset: How do they define collaboration? How do they define success? How do they define a good direct or team? And how do they define themselves? And this is just a start.
I agree. Leadership is more a mindset and a certain behaviour than a specific skill. But to be a leader, you also have to have the skills mentioned in the other answers. But to have them and not the mindset and behaviour doesn't make you a leader.
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Farid Alsakkaf Ships Projects Manager| ADNOC Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Aug 16, 2016 4:26 AM
Replying to Christina de Vries
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In my view there is a difference between managing or leading something, thus between acting as a manager or a leader. The leader can both - lead a n d manage - that is what makes them stand out. The manager can manage - and of course there are many positions where there is "just" the need for a manager. For me they both work on different levels - the leader being above on the "evolutionary ladder".

I do not refer to job titles or positions here, again, I see it as a different mindset that allows a leader to evolve on another level.
I am not sure if the leader can do both management and leadership nor any manager can be a leader. There is the part of impression or perhaps the charisma in the leader that should be while for the manager all what he should do is to maintain systems.
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Michela Grispini Almaviva TSF Firenze, Italy
I agree with Christina de Vries about the difference between leader and manager.
I think that a manager, also a good manager, could be not a good leader.
A manager can have only technical skills, for a leader these are not enough
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Karthik Ramamurthy Author, Say YES to Project Success| Founder KeyResultz Chennai, Tamilnadu, Tamilnadu, India
Leadership indeed requires a combination of numerous soft skills.
In no particular order, these are a must:
Empathy, Communication (including Listening), Mentoring & Coaching, Ability to see the "big picture", patience, tact, diplomacy, courage, etc., etc.
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Philippe Schuler Senior Instructor/Lecturer in Project/Program/Account PMO Management| Independant Consultant Les Choux, France
I do agree as well. Leadership is a combination of different soft-skills, experience and individual character and style. Some PMs (even very junior ones) are "natural" leaders but others need to acquire and experience some soft-skills to act with an appropriate leadership.
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