Differences Between a Manager and a Leader, Essay Example

Introduction

There are those who argued that death, taxes, and bad bosses are some of the things that individual employees usually face in the course of their life. Furthermore, it is also evident from a number of management research-based reports and studies that eighty percent of employees who are dissatisfied especially with their managers and leaders in the workplace mostly face job disengagement problems (Plucknette, 2014). There are a number of diverse distinctions between managers and leaders in the society based on a variety of human behaviors and personalities (Smith, 2015).

Therefore, the main purpose, aim and objective of this research based paper is to provide various perspectives and opinion based experiences especially towards the major differences between good managers and good leaders in the society. The paper will also include analysis and outline of some of the major types of successful leader’s and health care manager’s qualities and behaviors in the health care environment.

Differences between a Manager and a Leader

According to various research-based reports and publications, Abraham Lincoln forms one of the major examples of historical leaders in the United States who had exceptional leadership skills and personalities (Smith, 2015). Furthermore, based on these studies and reports, there are various qualities and behaviors that differentiate between managers and leaders in the society (Plucknette, 2014). For example, the journal of business ethics recent publications indicates that leader’s personality and qualities usually influence the behaviors and activities of their followers including employees in the workplace (Plucknette, 2014).   In addition, it is also evident that good and effective leadership behaviors and qualities can improve employee work engagement procedures and also decreased conflicts and work related problems in the society (Smith, 2015).

There are various significant differences between a manager and a leader in the society (Peterson, 1972). Based on my opinion and experiences, managers usually lead subordinates while leaders influence the behaviors of their followers. Manager’s controls and coordinates the activities of others with the aim of achieving a common goals while a leader main aim is to influence, motivate and inspire others in the society (Plucknette, 2014). In that sense, managers should have proper management skills and ability to delegate duties while leaders should have visionary skills, problem-solving skills as well as other decision-making skills (Toor, 2011). Effective leaders also have high intelligence skills, high levels of integrity, are flexible, have effective communication skills and other unique social skills (Toor, 2011). Leaders should also have the ability to work under stressful conditions and have high levels of critical thinking skills. These qualities were evident in the history of successful global leaders such as Abraham Lincoln (Smith, 2015).

The major roles of managers are to plan, budget, hire as well as measure the performance of employees in the workplace. However, the major roles of a leader are to motivate, inspire and influence others to work towards the achievement of their own aims and objectives in the society (Toor, 2011).

 Successful Health Care Managers and Leaders

In health care environments, the type of leaders that can lead successful operations should have high problem-solving behaviors, are able to direct, influence and motivate patients and medical providers in the society (Toor, 2011). Successful health care managers and leaders should also have the ability to direct, control and coordinate others to work towards the achievement of a common goal and objective in the health care environment. Based on the stressful and risky health care environments, health care managers and leaders should also reward their employees, involve them in the major decision-making process and also use democratic procedures towards major operations in the firm (Smith, 2015).

Health care managers and leaders should also use their power and authority in health care settings to encourage positive behaviors among health care providers and patients (Toor, 2011). Health care managers and leaders should also employ ethical, moral and legal procedures towards the provision of socially responsible management and leadership practices (Plucknette, 2014). This will allow them to consider the needs and interest of all individuals in the workplace as well as to provide and promote professional services to the society.

References

Peterson, B. D. (1972). Difference between Managers and Subordinates in their Perception of Opinion Leaders. Journal of Business Communication, 10(1), 27-37.

Plucknette, D. (2014). 4 differences between managers and leaders. Plant Engineering, 68(10), 16-18.

Smith, W. K. (2015). Dynamic Decision Making: A Model of Senior Leaders Managing Strategic Paradoxes. Academy Of Management Journal, 1015(1), 58-89.

Toor, S. (2011). Differentiating Leadership from Management: An Empirical Investigation of Leaders and Managers. Leadership & Management in Engineering, 11(4), 310-320.