Where Management Ends, Leadership Begins

By Joan Marques

An often-discussed topic in academia as well as in the corporate world is the difference between management and leadership. And the interesting part of this abundance of discussions is that all definitions and distinction-listings make sense.

The most often heard distinction might be that leadership pertains to larger, long-term issues, while management generally involves smaller, short-term occurrences.

Like the above, there are some other interesting thoughts that come to mind, which may be useful to share here, of only to serve as a mind refresher of what you probably knew all along.

a.. Both leadership and management pertain first toward yourself, and then to others. You need to first be able to define your long-term goal, and subsequently develop your step-by-step plan to get there before you can apply these skills to others.

b.. Leadership and management may or may not be needed at the same time, and may or may not be executed by the same person. There are circumstances where the greatest life-saver is not the big picture but a meticulous and well-considered implementation of actions, and there are situations, on the other hand, where the most essential issue is not the daily development of matters but the direction in which a business, family, or institution is being guided.

c.. Not every leader is a good manager. Not every manager a good leader. Yet, both can be outstanding in their particular area of expertise.

d.. Although it seems that, in modern times, leadership is "in" and management is "out," both phenomena are still very much alive and very hard needed in every institution that strives toward good performance.

e.. "Good" management, as well as "good" leadership may both entail different elements at different times and under different circumstances. Where, in some places, a laissez-faire approach may be regarded disastrous, it could be the best recipe for success in another, and where, under some circumstances, direction is needed from moment to moment, a more people-oriented and less directional strategy may be preferred in other situations.

f.. Neither managers nor leaders are omnificent: no one knows or can do everything. Besides, it is not necessarily the level of knowledge or ability that determines "good" management or "quality" leadership: A good manager or leader has no problems elevating the output quality of his or her environment by attracting complementary talent.

g.. Finally: Management and leadership are often intertwined. We all apply them at the appropriate times, even if we may have better skills in one or the other regard. The best way to look at it may be that, where management ends, leadership begins, vice versa. After all, we first have a vision, then we develop the steps and procedures to it, and subsequently we start the coordination of those steps and procedures toward the realization of the vision. And if the vision has to change due to unforeseen developments, we will reformulate it, alter our steps and procedures, and continue our coordination toward the realization of the changed vision. That's the alternating function of leadership and management at work. Nothing else.

Burbank, March 21, 2005

About the author:
Joan Marques emigrated from Suriname, South America, to California, U.S., in 1998. She holds a doctorate in Organizational Leadership, a Master's in Business Administration, and is currently a university instructor in Business and Management in Burbank, California. Look for her books "Empower the Leader in You" and "The Global Village" in bookstores online or on her website: http://www.joanmarques.com

Acres of Diamonds
By Russell Conwell

Book Description:
This book is small, eloquent, and easy to understand. It is about life, success, money, and priorities, what these things are and aren't, and will continue to challenge the way most of us choose to live our lives for years.--This text refers to the Audio CD edition.
Download Description:
Yet Conwell did not get readily into his life- work. He might have seemed almost a failure until he was well on toward forty, for although he kept making successes they were not permanent successes, and he did not settle himself into a definite line. He restlessly went westward to make his home, and then restlessly returned to the East. After the war was over he was a lawyer, he was a lecturer, he was an editor, he went around the world as a correspondent, he wrote books. He kept making money, and kept losing it.--This text refers to the Digital edition.
From the Publisher:
A new edition of the classic inspirational speech--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
About the Author:
Russell Conwell (1843-1925) was a lawyer, Baptist minister, decorated Civil War officer, and founder of Temple University, which is now the largest post-graduate training institute in the United States.

See You At The Top
By Zig Ziglar

Classic book on progressing from fear to success. The author leads us to analyze our self-image, relationships with others, goals, attitudes, work habits, and desires.

The Power of Positive Thinking
By Norman Vincent Peale

Book Description:
Faith in yourself makes good things happen to you. This classic guide to self-esteem and success will help you learn how to: break the worry habit; get other people to like you; avoid "the jitters" in your daily work; believe in yourself and everything you do; develop the power to reach your goals, and so much more.

From Simon & Schuster:
Translated into fifteen languages with more than 7 million copies sold, The Power of Positive Thinking is unparalleled in its extraordinary capacity for restoring the faltering faith of millions. In this insightful program, Dr. Peale offers the essence of his profound method for mastering the problems of everyday living. You will learn: How to eliminate that most devastating handicap---self doubt How to free yourself from worry, stress and resentment How to climb above problems to visualize solutions and then attain them Simple prayerful exercises that you can do every day, through-out the day, to reinforce your new-found habit of happiness Eliminating all the negative thoughts that prevent you from achieving happiness and success, The Power of Positive Thinking is an inspiring program that will help you create a positive change in your life.--This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Inside Flap Copy:
Faith in yourself makes good things happen to you. This classic guide to self-esteem and success will help you learn how to: break the worry habit; get other people to like you; avoid "the jitters" in your daily work; believe in yourself and everything you do; develop the power to reach your goals, and so much more.
About the Author:
Dr. Norman Vincent Peale The late Dr. Norman Vincent Peale was an author, columnist, radio and TV commentator and the Minister of the Marble Collegiate Church in New York City, preaching to 4,000 people every Sunday. His sermons were mailed to an additional 500,000 people worldwide. The Power of Positive Thinking is largely based on his pioneering work with the Religio-Psychiatric Clinic of the American Foundation of Religion and Psychiatry, of which Dr. Peale was president.