Emotional Intelligence

Is there a difference between managers and leaders? To me, the answer is--absolutely. After researching articles about the differences between managers and leaders I concluded that my current work environment, which employs two principals, leans towards more managerial than leadership qualities. There is always the opportunity to become a manager, but becoming a leader takes a certain kind of higher learning and understanding in order to be practiced effectively. A manager finds immediate solutions, a leader questions the solutions. The term manager exemplifies the more structured, controlled, analytical, orderly, and rule-oriented person. The leader exemplifies a more experimental, visionary, unstructured, flexible and risk taking person. Managers and leaders think differently internally, therefore the outcome is different externally. Below are a few examples of the differences between managers and leaders.

Managers... Leader...

Maintains Develops

Accepts reality Investigates it

Has a short-range view Has a long-range perspective

Has his/her eye on the bottom line Has his/her eye on the horizon

Imitates Originates

Accepts the status quo Challenges the status quo

Classic good soldier His/her own person

Are analytical/structured/orderly Are experimental/visionary/creative

Use the power of logical mind Use the power of intuition

Consider dangers Sense opportunity

Isolate Correlate

Think rivals/Competition Think Partners/Cooperation

Correct Strategic Weaknesses Build on Strategic Strengths

Administer Programs Develop People

Formulate Policy Set Examples

Instruct Inspire

Control Empower

Employ Consistency Employ Creativity

Duplicate Originate

See Complexity See Simplicity

React Proact