The Hindu Business Line : <I>Leader vs manager </I>

What are the qualities and capabilities of a leader as distinguished from those of a manager? Is there anything like leadership in and by itself, which differs from what is expected of a manager? Are the functions of the leader and manager distinct and separate?

Management tracts purposely pursue these enquiries. It is a truism that not all leaders are necessarily good managers and vice versa. It is equally clear that high designations alone do not help in delivering the goods. There is a view of Jawaharlal Nehru, for instance, that he was inspiring as a leader but fell short as the chief executive of the nation. Making a distinction between the attributes of a leader and a manager is a pointless pastime. Management pros, however, happily indulge in it. Some write-ups go to absurd lengths in viewing leader's role in isolation from that of the manager. One that I saw recently lets itself go with things like: Leaders inspire, managers measure; leaders guide, managers navigate; leaders talk, managers listen; leaders expect, managers demand; leaders support, managers teach; and similar inanities.

Actually, if a leader is one who inspires his associates to act in tune with his vision by setting an example in all that he expects in and of others, then every functionary who has been given a task to accomplish, whether called a manager or by any other name, has to be a leader as well.

Similarly, it is no use merely entertaining or propagating a vision and having impeccable credentials as a person unless they translate into achievements contributing to the goals of the organisation or the collective good of the society. Thus, the only reliable test of leadership is its ability to produce results commensurate with the efforts.

B. S. RAGHAVAN