An assigned leader is someone who is deemed a leader because of their title or designation .
An emergent leader is someone who assumes leadership by virtue of their ability to influence others .
Management and Leadership
There are many similarities between management and leadership. Both involve working with people , influence, and the concern for goal achievement ( Northouse, 2006, p.13)
There are also some key differences between them . The primary functions of management are planning, organizing , staffing and controlling ( Fayol, 1916) . As per Kotter ( 1990 )The overriding function of management is to provide order and consistency . The primary function of leadership it to produce change and movement ( Kotter, 1990)
Other scholars agree with Kotter ( 1990 ) that these 2 are distinct. As per Bennis and Nanus ( 1985) ‘to manage’ means to accomplish activities and master routines, whereas to ‘ to lead’ means to influence others and create visions for change. “ Managers are people who do things right, and leaders are people who do the right thing “ ( Bennis and Nanus, 1985, p.221)
I believe both management and leadership have very important roles to play in an organization. Leadership is essential to give an organization a vision and a set of values, to lay out shared goals, and to influence others to bring about change .
Management is essential in making sure the day to day activities are carried out in an orderly and timely manner, for individuals and the organization to move towards achieving those goals. There is a considerable scope for overlap between the role of manager and leader, and often times these roles can be inter changeable .
I would like to share a personal anecdote from my work place , in which I emerged as a leader. I recently took up the role of a champion for foreign physicians who needed to be sponsored for a Green Card by my current employers. The process was imperfect, and I persuaded the leadership to look at it indepth . I was the one with the most knowledge on this topic, so I ended up assuming the role leader in this issue. This has led to the process being revamped and an attorney being hired for this sole purpose .
My question: What would you do if you were offered a leadership position, but knew you were better suited for a managerial position ?
References:
Bennis , W.G., & Nanus, B. ( 1985).Leaders. The strategies for taking charge New York:Harper & Row
Fayol,H. ( 1916). General and industrial management. London: Pitman
Kotter, J.P. ( 1990 ) . A force for change: How leadership differs from management, New York : Free Press
Northouse, P.G. ( 2016 ) . Leadership theory and Practice seventh edition . Los Angeles : Sage
Great question. I was reminded of a discussion I had at church the other day about Jonathan giving up his role as the heir to King Saul to his friend David. Jonathan had great leadership and managerial experience, he was a renown military leaders and had spent his childhood being groomed for the role of King, yet God chose David. Jonathan not only gave up his future position but also loved and respected David as a brother, going so far as to “clothe him in his own robes and armour.” I thought this was a great example of someone putting aside their pride to lift up a better leader.