I believe being a leader is more important than being a manager. People want to someone who leads by example and doesnt just tell you what to do. You have to show leadership and then people will follow.
Gail,
Yes, you need both in any organization. Do you believe that a single individual can be GREAT at both though?
Dr. Jean Norris
I agree that it is important to be both a good manager and a good leader. A good leader is needed to inspire and motivate the team. However, a good manager is needed for the day-to-day operation of the organization or department.
Leaders and managers are both vital to effective execution of school and team goals. To lead, inspire, motivate, train a team, recognize, get buy in from the team. Managers hire, execute, report, get to the bottom line hold others accountable.
Both are really important based on the needs and opportunities
I believe they are equally important. A true leader has to reconize the kind of followers they have and to recognize strengths and weaknesses of the individual,while also understanding their direct role as a leader. The dynamics can be very complicated at times which can lead to confrontation and really effect the end result of what you are trying to accomplish!!
Jean, I believe these traits are more often than not found in one person. Take, for example, the President of a start up campus. By job title, that person is designated the "leader". Saying that, initially, there are no other employees--thus, the "leader" must also be the manager of process necessary to open the campus until others are hired to manage process. An example might be processing new hire paperwork or ordering supplies.
This would also be consistent with the notion that leadership exists at all levels of the organization and future leaders will emerge during the growth of the organization--especially, fast growth organizations.
You make a great point Jim, both are important to an organization. I'm curious, do you feel these traits can be found in one person?
It's not so much as which is more important but, rather, both are essential to the success of a business or project. Leaders provide the vison, motivation, and reward systems for organizations while the managers provide the support structure by effectively managing process.
I don't think one is really more important than the other. I think in any scenario, education or otherwise, I feel that both are needed. I've worked in situations that have had one but not the other, and depending on the environment, it can be very frustrating as the employee.
I think it is important to be both. It depends on the situation you are faced with
Mehrzad, great point. How does one person balance both responsibilities?
Dr. Jean Norris
I think both skills are important, to achieve a goal for your company you need to a direction, a plan, organization and control of all the aspects involve the in the process, as well as have your strong and knowledgeable staff in charge.
Lisa,
I agree with you. I work in a fast pace environemnt and I must say I am both. I am a leader and a manager. Your comemnt is true being both will make a company more successful.
Hi Cherry,
Very good point. Leaders can see th vision and the manager is the one to pursue it relentless.
Hi Juan,
While I agree with you I also would like to stated that small organizations also have these traits. Sometimes the smallest organizations have the best service. It because their manager is a good leader and their leader knows how to manage. It it not only in large corporations that these traits are displayed.
Great points you've made James. One is not important than the other they are both needed to be successful. I really love your example.
In this fast paced competitive world, I believe it is critical to have both a strong leader and strong managers. They go hand in hand and can not operate without each other. Look at any successful company and it will have both.
Reply
Jim, sure. Thanks for sharing this. I wonder, would you share a specific situation where leadership might be more important?
Dr. Jean Norris
Andra, interesting comparison. It sounds like leadership and management go hand in hand in this example. Thanks for sharing this.
Dr. Jean Norris
