Management and leadership are two distinct concepts. A person may be an excellent manager but a poor leader. A person may also be a great leader but not be in a managerial position. Sometimes (and hopefully) a person who has managerial responsibilities is also a leader. One easy way to describe the differences between these concepts is to say that managers are responsible for maintaining a consistent environment where people know what is expected of them and that they are able to meet those expectations. In contrast, leaders are responsible for helping people identify and deal with the need to move and/or change. Here's an example to illustrate the differences.
You are on a safari and have enjoyed a great day. Everyone is sharing the best parts of the day while sitting around the campfire. A lion's roar punctuates the conversation. A manager would direct everyone to safety and wait for the lion to pass by. In contrast, a leader ensures the group's safety and then stands guard to face the lion in order to protect the group. The next day, the leader provides instructions on ways to deal with threats from different kinds of animals you may encounter on the safari.
Here is the first question.
Using your experience, how would you describe the differences and similarities between managers' and leaders' roles, responsibilities and behaviors? Please provide examples to illustrate your description.
The second chapter in the text describes the traits leaders possess. Table 2.2 lists five major leadership traits. The traits are:
intelligence
self confidence
determination
integrity, and
sociability.
Table 2.3 lists the big five personality factors (neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness).
Here's the second, two-part question.
2. Compare and contrast the two lists of traits. In which ways are the traits and personality factors similar, ... different? What is missing from the two lists that you believe are traits of leaders?
And the final question.
3. Which of the traits/personality factors align with managers and which align with leaders? If the traits/personality factors align with both managers and leaders, what else do we need to distinguish between managers and leaders? Please support your answers with examples and explanations.