Difference Between Leaders and Managers (2)

Management works within the paradigm. Leadership creates new paradigms.
Management works within the system. Leadership works on the system.
Management is problem-oriented. Leadership is opportunity oriented.
(Stephen Covey, 1994)


While management establishes specific purpose and mission, makes work productive and effectively manages social impacts (Drucker, 2001), leaders influence others to willingly achieve the group's vision for success.
Antoine de Saint Exupery gave meaning to what leaders should do in 'The Wisdom of the Sands':
"If you want to build a ship, don't drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea."

Although eloquently put, it shouldn't put managers down compared to leaders. It is clear that ships are not build by leaders alone. It is important to understand that leadership and management are roles within an organization that are both desperately needed. At best management and leadership work in tandem to reach an overall goal.