Well, here is another…

Defining leadership with a quote by Leroy Eimes:
“A leader is one who sees more than others see, who sees farther than others see, and who sees before others see.”

A leader is the visionary of the organization. He is able to define for people where the organization has come, where the organization is now, and where the organization is going. He cannot rely upon a board or committee for this is a core competency for a leader. Outside of the organization, the same is true for the marketplace and competition. Fail to be able define any of these nine points and you have found a critical failure in leadership.

Perhaps, Stephen Covey defined it in one the best manners when he wrote, “Management is efficiency in climbing the ladder of success; leadership determines whether the ladder is leaning against the right wall.” (The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People)  As leader, you have to see if the organization is on the right wall.

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Management is planning and organizing projects and operations, allocating resources to minimize costs and maximize benefits, directing practices and procedures, establishing controls to measure the effectiveness and efficiencies, and motivating subordinates. Management is concerned with present activities and the immediate results of those activities.

Leadership is more abstract when considered separately from management. Leadership is guiding a person or group toward the best results. It is having sound understanding to determine and ability to articulate visions and goals. Leadership is in par with management, but takes on precedence for strategic management and long-term success.

Stephen Covey used a ladder to illustrate the difference between leadership and management in the book, 7 Habit of Highly Effective People. Management is concerned with getting up a ladder in the most effective and most efficient manner. Leadership is making certain the ladder is on the right wall.

I have also heard management is focused internally within an organization or group, while leadership is focused externally toward the industry and the market place. However, you chose to define the difference, when you understand the difference, you will be a better manager and better leader.

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