Leaders and managers, are they the same? What makes them different? According to Harvard business review, managers or management is more or less in charge of a group of people in a business driven by a goal. Leadership on the other hand, is more individualised were the leader holds the ability to motivate and enable others to contribute to business or organisational success. (Harvard Business Review, 2022)
Let us look at the two in more detail.
Key differences between leaders and managers
We will now take a look at the key differences between leaders and managers. Click on each of the following headings for information on each of these differences.
Where vision is concerned, this often comes from the leader, they see the opportunity and use it to help the team understand the vision and drive motivation. The role of the manager, is to effectively put this vision into practice and work with the team, delegating roles and responsibilities in ensuring achievement.
Leaders tend to be very forward in their thinking and look toward the future and its possibilities, along with striving towards continuous improvement. Managers essentially respond to the change and either facilitate instruction or follow the instruction to execute the change.
Leaders implement a motivational strategy to support the success of the team, allowing them to follow at their free will. If leaders lack the motivational capability, individuals are less likely to follow them. Managers implement strategies that focus on the work to ensure it is completed.
Fun fact!
Did you know? A full 72% of internationally surveyed employees expect their leaders to be forward-looking, although they don’t expect the same from their colleagues! (Projections, 2022)
The most powerful leadership tool you have is your own example.”
When leading, it is important to lead by example. Consider your own personal goals in striving towards becoming the best leader you can be. Many people are a product of their environment and will adapt to their surroundings, so it is important to remember, those you are leading will follow your example. They look up to you for motivation, support and inspiration. They need to feel comfortable and confident they can turn to you and in return, you will need to mirror that confidence, if you feel confident and inspired.
Management can be as tricky as it is rewarding. Think about a time where you were inspired by your own manager and on the contrary, a time where you were less inspired.
Becoming a good manager encompasses the skills of a leader as well as the drive and determination to take the team through the highs and lows in the journey to success within the business. You will need a repertoire of skills that incorporate organisation, responsibility, trust and transparency (just to name a few!)
As a manager, you will need to ensure you know and understand the people within your team in order to build on their strengths and support areas for improvement. A manager requires a level of resilience to have those difficult conversations, and there will come a time within your career you will need to have them; you will need to exhibit empathy and availability for the aftermath of some of some of these conversations. Being a manager requires you to pay close attention to the needs of your team to foster their growth and support their needs.
Communication should always be at the forefront of the mind, in not only work life but everyday life. As a manager however, it is one of the most integral parts of your job. Without effective communication, seeing a business and the individuals that comprise succeed, will be virtually impossible. Lack of communication can cause serious ramifications to the business and those who work there, therefore applying effective communication is pivotal.
The following are examples of why communication is so important.
- It is the basis of decision-making and planning.
- It makes for a smooth and efficient workplace environment.
- Increases managerial efficacy.
- Supports the establishment of effective leadership.
- Fosters positive rapport with all stakeholders, both internal and external. (Yourarticlelibrary, n.d.)
Channels of communication
It is important to consider, communication is much more than engaging in a back and forth conversation with others. While this the most well known form of communication, it is not the only one. There are other channels of communication that you will need to familiairse yourself with and develop the skills within each to ensure you are communicating appropriately as a manager.
- Verbal communication- back and forth conversation face to face with one other or more people, over the phone or via video call.
- Non-verbal communication- this includes body language, facial expressions, gestures and so on.
- Written communication- this includes emails, messages via online platforms such as teams, policies and procedures, training documents, just to name a few.
Whichever channel you are using at any given time, to manage and lead effectively, you must ensure the communication technique you are using is aligned.
The units in this course can help you prepare for your career journey in leadership and management. If you aspire to lead and manage a team within an organisation, or perhaps you are pulling a team together for your own business venture, this course will give you the skills and knowledge required. Upon successful completion of this course, your avenues are quite diverse.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, (ABS) Managers and Professionals had the highest average hourly earnings of all occupations in May 2021, according to detailed earnings information released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Earnings and salary will vary across positions, if you are looking into the earnings of a manager, you may wish to conduct your own research to establish that understanding. If you are unsure where to start, click the following link to Seek, and spend some filtering through positions of your choosing and observe their management salary profiles.
National Careers Institute, 67.8% of graduates in the management and commerce field started or expanded a business, had a more highly skilled job, a promotion, higher pay, or a new job.
Some of the career opportunities may include (but are not limited to)
- Transport Manager
- Distribution Centre Manager
- Information Services Manager
- Manager
- Corporate Services Manager
- Public Sector Manager
- Senior Manager (Public Sector)
- Office Manager
- Legal Practice Manager
- Operations Manager
- Warehouse Manager
- Business Development Manager
- Production Manager
- Business Manager.
The following diagram illustrates the statistics of potential management positions and the industries they apply to.
Further study
The Certificate IV in leadership and management can also open pathways into Diploma of leadership and management or higher education should you wish to embark on further study. To grow in your skills and expertise and gain more experience and knowledge in the industry, you can undergo additional study.
Some of these courses may include:
- BSB50420 Diploma of Leadership and Management
- BSB60420 Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management.
- BSB50320 Diploma of Human Resource Management.
- BSB50415 Diploma of Business Administration
- Bachelor of Business
- Bachelor of Business and Commerce (Management and Leadership)
- Bachelor of Organisational Leadership
(McGrath, J, 2021)
Careers involving leadership and management require in depth knowledge of legislation. It is integral you are familiar with the relevant legislation in this role, as much of it sets the foundations for the policies, procedures, code of conduct within the workplace.
The following table outlines some of the relevant legislation you will need to familarise yourself with as your progress through the course. Click on each of the links to take you directly to the relevant website.
| Legislation | Description |
|---|---|
| SafeWork Australia | Safe Work Australia are responsible for developing the national policy related to WHS along with worker’s compensation across Australia |
| Work Health and Safety Act 2011 | This act protects the health, safety and welfare of all workers and others in workplaces and work activities |
| Disability Rights | This act prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, education, access to publicly available premises, accommodation, sport, goods, services and facilities |
| Racial Discrimination | This act aims to protect people from discrimination based on their race, colour, or national or ethnic origin. |
| Age Discrimination | This act prohibits discrimination based on age in employment, education, accommodation, and the provision of goods and services. It protects both young and older people. |
| Sex Discrimination | This legislation protects people from discrimination based on their sex, gender identity, intersex status, sexual orientation, marital or relationship status, family responsibilities, because they are or may become pregnant, or because they are breastfeeding |
| Business and Human rights | The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) were unanimously endorsed by the UN Human Rights Council. The UNGPs are now the authoritative global standard for addressing and preventing human rights impacts associated with business activity. |
| Anti-discrimination | The current Commonwealth anti-discrimination regime provides an important legislative framework for promoting equality in Australia and contains many positive features that operate to protect against certain forms of discrimination in certain circumstances. |
