As I write this I have been faced with the dilemma of a weak and poor manger that I have been working with lately. I have included the formal definitions below as a reminder to those that forget, so if you are well versed on this, feel free to skip that part. I have over 20 years of both leadership and management and have a degree and training along with hands on experience leading small and large groups of people in many companies. I am always learning and don’t think I know everything, and the times are changing in the work place.

One of the managers that I have worked for recently is very difficult to work with and for. He is a very nice person face to face, but very back-handed in communications specifically email. An example of what I mean, that I am sure many have faced, is what I am now calling the “Evelyn Comment.” Evelyn comments are from the TV show Two and a Half Men. Charlie and Alan’s’ mother Evelyn is notorious for these comments. Charlie gives Evelyn a very nice expensive watch and Evelyn says t is a very nice watch and she loves it, and now won’t have to wear her good watch all of the time. A compliment and an insult all together, while leaving the person feeling great, but not at the same time.

My boss also shows up during work now and again, (he works remote often) and loves to talk about how he did things, he made things happen, everything would have been wrong if he wasn’t coordinating things, and has now restricted us from doing much of anything without his direct permission. I think he is really well intentioned, but has no idea how to convey ideas and objectives to our team, nor lead or manage. So that brings me to the subject at hand, Leadership or Management?

I found his resume on-line and reviewed it with some of the other senior people in my team. He has over 20 years military leadership as an enlisted non-commissioned officer, police background, and owns a business outside of his job that has been going for what I think is over 8 years. Management positions over the years are virtually non-existent except his current position.

So as I discussed the situation with some co-workers we came up with a question. What is more important leadership or management? Google that, you will come up with a lot of studies and ideas, most end up saying a blend is the best option. I have to review the differences and similarities just to get it straight.

Leadership in business has been described as a process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task. Leadership is comprised of the leading or directing, and controlling an organization, group, team, or initiative to accomplish a goal.

Management in business and organizations is the function that coordinates the efforts of people to accomplish goals and objectives using available resources efficiently and effectively. Management comprises planning, organizing, staffing, leading or directing, and controlling an organization or initiative to accomplish a goal. Resourcing encompasses the deployment and manipulation of human resources, financial resources, technological resources, and natural resources. Management is also an academic discipline, a social science whose object of study is the social organization.

So, what is the difference, what is the same, and why doesn’t my boss get it?

I was taught leadership in the military from day one through my 10 years including the Gulf War and time spent as a Recruiter. I attended live-in schools, correspondents’ courses, on-line classes, and hands on direction and learning. I have awards, medals, certificates and commendations for leadership. Interestingly enough, I have the same things in most of the corporations, companies and business’s that I have been employed.

I use my leadership skills daily, but I think I use my management skills more. My management does comprise of planning, organizing, staffing, leading, directing, and controlling an organization or initiative to accomplish a goal. This uses my leadership skill and incorporates them all, but the academic application of the principles has been the defining line for me.

For my boss, his leadership is comprised of leading, directing, and controlling the organization, group, team, or initiative to accomplish a goal, but he has not mastered the ability to use the resources at hand to be more effective. He does not seek input, but if it is offered, he discounts it, and after giving him an option, he states that there are many ways to accomplish a goal but his way is right. Again referring to the “Evelyn Comment” that our way could work, but his way is right. I have also seen a few times when others have offered ideas, and he simply states he has already thought of that and it wont work, his method is better.

I am not in a position to talk to him, as my suggestions and ideas are foundation for dismissal, and I can not go to the superiors, because he has convinced them he truly is the go to person and the team of ”I” has everything under control. I am a contract, at will employee, and as I m currently looking for new work, I need this income. The corporation is very large and is indeed focused on personal growth and opportunity. It is a great company to work for and things are always improving.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining, but I hope that everyone reading this will realize leadership and management are the same, yet different, co-exist together, and can be used separate. There are great leaders, great managers, and with some self introspection I feel as if the best leaders are aware of both definitions and can merge them together to become truly great.

I have used the line “Let your conscious be your guide” in the past, but I also ask you to take a quick review of the Leadership and Management definitions below and then “Let your conscious be your guide” to effectively running your organization.

Leadership and Management Defined

Leadership has been described as a process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task. Leadership is comprised of the leading or directing, and controlling an organization, group, team, or initiative to accomplish a goal. The three main principles are authoritarian, participative, delegative.

1. Authoritarian leadership is best applied to situations where there is little time for group decision-making or where the leader is the most knowledgeable member of the group.
2. Participative leadership is one for Democratic leaders that offer guidance to group members, but they also participate in the group and allow input from other group members.
3. Delegative leaders offer little or no guidance to group members and leave decision-making up to group members.

Management in business and organizations is the function that coordinates the efforts of people to accomplish goals and objectives using available resources efficiently and effectively. Management comprises planning, organizing, staffing, leading or directing, and controlling an organization or initiative to accomplish a goal. Resourcing encompasses the deployment and manipulation of human resources, financial resources, technological resources, and natural resources. Management is also an academic discipline, a social science whose object of study is the social organization. Some (not limited to) include:

1. An autocratic management style is one where the manager makes decisions unilaterally, and without much regard for subordinates
2. A more paternalistic form is also essentially dictatorial. However, decisions do take into account the best interests of the employees as well as the business.
3. A persuasive management style involves the manager sharing some characteristics with that of an autocratic manager. The most important aspect of a persuasive manager is that they maintain control over the entire decision making process.
4. In a democratic style, the manager allows the employees to take part in decision-making: therefore everything is agreed upon by the majority.
5. A very modern style of management, chaotic management gives the employees total control over the decision making process.
6. Laissez-faire leadership, also known as delegative leadership, is a type of leadership style in which leaders are hands-off and allow group members to make the decisions.