Management and leadership. Some people use these terms interchangeably, but there are some really key differences.

Both are essential in a strong business, but where leadership is more of an artform, management is about putting the right practical systems in place to foster productivity and competence. Understanding the difference between the two (and where there might be gaps) can make a real difference when it comes to getting the best out of your teams and managers.

Why does the difference matter?

The semantics here might not seem important. But knowing the difference can be a huge help when identifying the root of issues in your business and seeing where improvements can be made.

The brief version is this: If people aren’t inspired, they need better leadership. If they’re not competent or productive, they need better management.

But let’s have a closer look.

What is leadership?

Leadership is having your head up above the trees, able to spot dangers and opportunities in the distance. It’s inspiring people to be the best versions of themselves. It’s all about the vision; knowing where you want to get to and naturally attracting a team to go on that journey with you.

Everyone has an element of leadership in them, although we don’t always know how to fully express it. Where leadership is lacking, you might spot symptoms like:

  • Disengagement
  • Lack of cohesion
  • Lack of confidence within the team
  • Low morale

What is management?

Management is a system that’s about how you and your team measure and achieve your goals. Good management means having robust, company-wide systems that help, support and measure how people achieve competency and productivity.

Poor management can lead to:

  • Preventable mistakes
  • Lack of cohesion
  • Falling behind timescales
  • Inefficiency

These issues might initially appear to be caused by a lack of individual competence. But if you zoom out, you’ll often find that they’re actually caused by managers without the skills, confidence and systems to manage effectively.

Treating the cause

I often speak to managers who complain about lack of confidence, competence and productivity in their team. It can certainly be easier to put the onus on individuals when these issues come up, but it can often lead to managers trying to treat the symptom rather than the root cause.

It may be that managers have risen through the ranks by being skilled in their jobs and found themselves in a management position without the understanding they need to manage effectively. Or, it could be the case that they understand how to manage but don’t have the confidence to put their ideas into practice.

If you’re seeing issues with performance and productivity in your teams, it’s always worth exploring the possibility that your managers need better training and support to put the right systems in place for their teams to excel.

Ultimately, great managers lead great teams. If you want to understand more, I’d love to chat. Get in touch at  iainstrachan@actioncoach.com or 07974222210.