Management Vs. Leadership – Which Drives Success?
- Oct 11, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 5, 2024
Written by: Susanne Ekström, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
In today's world, there's a lot of buzz about leadership. It's all over social media, in TED talks, and on bookshelves. But what about management? Do we need it anymore?
You’ve seen it too, don't you? Everywhere you look, people are praising leadership.
What if I told you management is just as important…?
Management vs. Leadership
In the hype about leadership, we sometimes forget to appreciate the importance of management. We've decided it's not cool to talk about it. But what happens when one part is strong, and the other is weak.
A short story on management vs. leadership from Stephen Covey’s famous book: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
The story goes like this:
“You can quickly grasp the important difference between the two if you envision a group of producers cutting their way trough the jungle with machetes. They’re the producers, the problem solvers. They’re cutting through the undergrowth, clearing it out.
The managers are behind them, sharpening their machetes, writing policy and procedure manuals, holding muscle development programs, bringing in improved technologies and setting up working schedules and compensation programs for machete wielders.
The leader is the one who climbs the tallest tree, surveys the entire situation, and yells, “Wrong jungle!”
But how do the busy, efficient producers and managers often respond? “Shut up! We’re making progress.”
Management without leadership: The missing pieces
When you focus too much on managing your people, some problems come along with it:
Limited Growth: Focusing only on rules and order can stop you from growing and being creative. Your people need leadership to inspire them and show them the way forward.
Higher Turnover: Your people don't just want rules; they want to feel inspired. Without leadership, they might leave your company.
Lack of Inspiration: Management doesn't always inspire people. It's like driving a car with no clear destination. You need that spark of inspiration to keep things moving forward.
Missed Opportunities: Being too rigid in your management can stop you from trying new things. In today's rapid-changing world, this will slow you down.
Less Engagement: People might do what they're told, but won't be excited about it. Leadership is what makes people care about their work.
Leadership without management: A ship without a captain
On the other hand, if you focus too much on leadership and forget about management, things can get chaotic:
Lack of Direction: Leadership alone doesn't give you clear directions. It's like a ship without a captain. You need that guiding hand to steer you in the right direction.
Burnout Risk: Too much excitement and vision can make people tired. Without good management, it's hard to keep things balanced.
Chaotic operations: Without good management, even the best ideas can become a mess when you try to make them happen. That chaos is annoying for you and your team.
Employee frustration: Leadership speeches can't solve everyday problems. People get frustrated without good management and that frustration affects your team's performance.
Wasted Resources: Without proper management, you waste time, energy, and money.
Inconsistent Results: Leadership can be unpredictable, making it hard for a company to perform well consistently.
The power of working together
To be successful, you need both management and leadership. They're like two puzzle pieces that fit together perfectly. Here's why:
Management Brings Order: Good management makes sure things run smoothly. It keeps everything organized and efficient, making your life easier.
Leadership Inspires and Guides: Leadership gives you big ideas and shows you where to go. It motivates you and gives you a sense of direction, helping you achieve your goals.
Without both management and leadership working together, a company won't reach its full potential. It's like having a car with no engine. It's not about choosing one over the other; it's about using both to succeed.
“Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.” — Peter Drucker
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Read more from Susanne Ekström!
Susanne Ekström, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Susanne is a visionary entrepreneur, worldwide executive coach, and the brain behind BeASmarterLeader and SEE Management.
Her goal? Helping CEOs of $8-20M companies make $499k more in 99 days.
In the past five years, Susanne helped her clients make +$30 million more in profit. Her signature programs and coaching have transformed more than 6,000 individuals into Smarter Leaders.
Her mission? To guide CEOs like you, helping you reach the top of your game. She specializes in turning your big business dreams into reality, making your company richer, your team happier, & your business more robust.
To achieve this mission, Susanne focuses on three main areas:
Freeing up time for you and your key people to strategize
Utilizing and optimizing your company’s potential for greater productivity and profitability
Designing a scalable business model to 2-3X your company
Why? In 2001, her dot-com company went bankrupt during the market crash. This tough experience led her to guide others for over 20 years to avoid similar problems.
