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Can a manager be a leader? Is a leader necessarily a manager? These are two questions that come to mind when deciding on how to give direction to employees, colleagues, and organizations in general. The terms “leader” and “manager”, tend to get tossed around synonymously, although they clearly have two different meanings and even separate connotations depending on the situation.

Management normally includes subordinates that are located underneath the manager on a corporate hierarchy. These subordinates follow what the manager says due to fear of losing their job, monetary payment, or some other self-beneficial factors. Managers also have an objective or final outcome in mind, and are concentrated on getting the job done, regardless of how their subordinates view the overall scope of the job. Managers tend to avoid conflict because it causes a decrease the productivity of their workers. When managers are faced with a conflict, they devise a quick and sometimes temporary solution in order to continue progress towards their final result or outcome. This type of problem solving is acute, and can create more problems later on. Managers do teach, much like a leader would, but only teach based on guidelines set in place by their boss or the organization they work for. They will go that extra mile if asked to, or if a subordinate asked a question outside the scope of the organization.

Not every manager follows the generality listed above, but they normally always carry a few of those characteristics. This disclaimer goes for leaders as well. Leaders tend to have followers that follow of their own free will. Subordinates follow sometimes when realistically they don’t care to if they were given the option. Followers have a different agenda. They are motivated or captivated by the leader to where they believe in that person. They follow out of inspiration or because they have a similar vision that the leader does. A leader can be looked at as visionary, passionate, as encouraging. Leadership involves being pro-active and using preventative measures when a problem arrives. Leadership pertains to caring for those who follow as well as whatever goal or end result might be in mind. Leaders teach on a regular basis, and are open individuals that will enlighten their followers, as well as provide motivation which is the key to creating a positive and collaborative work environment for both the leader and followers.

Thomas Carlyle, a Scottish historian and essayist, believed that Kingship which embodied Heroism was to supreme type of rule. This is where loyalty and worship would guide people under the wing of a commander. This is more of a leadership quality where chivalry and heroism would make for an excellent king (a.k.a. leader) (Wren, 1995).
Management are practice oriented with theory from the organization to back up the practice where leaders in turn are praxis oriented and are continue to try and better themselves, their followers, and the work that they all do cooperatively.
There is no wrong way to direct people, and each situation calls for a different type of facilitation. There might be an instance where management is needed over leadership. Intense situation where military might be involved definitely calls for management. A situation where there needs to be strict fixed guidelines is a good example where managers are needed. For everyday business or company needs, leadership is the best way to go. When employees feel motivated to do more for the company because they feel as if they are a part of it, and not some machine that helps their boss get paid more, a business will prosper in a positive manner, and yield an efficient and effective working environment.

References:

J. Thomas Wren, ed. (1995). The Leader’s Companion: Insights on Leadership Through
the Ages. New York: Free Press.