Do you aspire to be a leader in your community? Often management is equated to leadership. Discover the defining factors that distinguish a true leader from a manager. This is a presentation developed through the Graduate Resource Center at the University of New Mexico.
2. THE BASICS: “LEADER” DEFINED
A leader is someone that people CHOOSE to follow.
A leader inspires and motivates, often by example.
An effective leader is a person of integrity.
A leader is a great two-way communicator.
3. MANAGERS VS. LEADERS: THE
DIFFERENCE
Though they are often confused, managers and leaders are not necessarily the same.
MANAGERS LEADERS
• Managers administer. • Leaders innovate.
• Managers are a copy. • Leaders are the original.
• Managers maintain. • Leaders develop.
• Managers focus on systems and • Leaders focus on people.
structures.
• Managers rely on control. • Leaders inspire trust.
• Managers do things right. • Leaders do the right thing.
• Managers ask “how” and “when.” • Leaders ask “what” and “why.”
• Managers have their eyes on the • Leaders have their eyes on the
bottom line. horizon.
Alan Murray, “What is the Difference Between Management and Leadership,” The Wall Street Journal,
http://guides.wsj.com/management/developing-a-leadership-style/what-is-the-difference-between-management-and-leadership/ Accessed
March 19, 2002.
4. ADDITIONAL NOTES ON
LEADERSHIP
To be a leader, one must have an honest understanding of who they are and
what they can do.
It is the followers, NOT the leader, who decides whether a leader is successful or
not. Successful leaders convince their followers, not themselves or their
superiors, that they are worthy to be followed.
“Setting the example” is leading through non-verbal, two-way communication.
It communicates that you would not ask your followers to do anything that
you would not. What and how you communicate either builds or harms the
relationship between leaders and followers.
Don Clark, “Concepts of Leadership,” Big Dog & Little Dog’s Performance Juxtaposition, http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/leader/leadcon.html.
Accessed March 19, 2012.
5. WHERE DOES LEADERSHIP
BEGIN?
• On campus (classes and student organizations)
• In the community (churches and volunteer organizations)
• In the workplace (various projects and teams)
Leadership begins with being a great follower.
