Explore Courses
Liverpool Business SchoolLiverpool Business SchoolMBA by Liverpool Business School
  • 18 Months
Bestseller
Golden Gate UniversityGolden Gate UniversityMBA (Master of Business Administration)
  • 15 Months
Popular
O.P.Jindal Global UniversityO.P.Jindal Global UniversityMaster of Business Administration (MBA)
  • 12 Months
New
Birla Institute of Management Technology Birla Institute of Management Technology Post Graduate Diploma in Management (BIMTECH)
  • 24 Months
Liverpool John Moores UniversityLiverpool John Moores UniversityMS in Data Science
  • 18 Months
Popular
IIIT BangaloreIIIT BangalorePost Graduate Programme in Data Science & AI (Executive)
  • 12 Months
Bestseller
Golden Gate UniversityGolden Gate UniversityDBA in Emerging Technologies with concentration in Generative AI
  • 3 Years
upGradupGradData Science Bootcamp with AI
  • 6 Months
New
University of MarylandIIIT BangalorePost Graduate Certificate in Data Science & AI (Executive)
  • 8-8.5 Months
upGradupGradData Science Bootcamp with AI
  • 6 months
Popular
upGrad KnowledgeHutupGrad KnowledgeHutData Engineer Bootcamp
  • Self-Paced
upGradupGradCertificate Course in Business Analytics & Consulting in association with PwC India
  • 06 Months
OP Jindal Global UniversityOP Jindal Global UniversityMaster of Design in User Experience Design
  • 12 Months
Popular
WoolfWoolfMaster of Science in Computer Science
  • 18 Months
New
Jindal Global UniversityJindal Global UniversityMaster of Design in User Experience
  • 12 Months
New
Rushford, GenevaRushford Business SchoolDBA Doctorate in Technology (Computer Science)
  • 36 Months
IIIT BangaloreIIIT BangaloreCloud Computing and DevOps Program (Executive)
  • 8 Months
New
upGrad KnowledgeHutupGrad KnowledgeHutAWS Solutions Architect Certification
  • 32 Hours
upGradupGradFull Stack Software Development Bootcamp
  • 6 Months
Popular
upGradupGradUI/UX Bootcamp
  • 3 Months
upGradupGradCloud Computing Bootcamp
  • 7.5 Months
Golden Gate University Golden Gate University Doctor of Business Administration in Digital Leadership
  • 36 Months
New
Jindal Global UniversityJindal Global UniversityMaster of Design in User Experience
  • 12 Months
New
Golden Gate University Golden Gate University Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
  • 36 Months
Bestseller
Ecole Supérieure de Gestion et Commerce International ParisEcole Supérieure de Gestion et Commerce International ParisDoctorate of Business Administration (DBA)
  • 36 Months
Rushford, GenevaRushford Business SchoolDoctorate of Business Administration (DBA)
  • 36 Months
KnowledgeHut upGradKnowledgeHut upGradSAFe® 6.0 Certified ScrumMaster (SSM) Training
  • Self-Paced
KnowledgeHut upGradKnowledgeHut upGradPMP® certification
  • Self-Paced
IIM KozhikodeIIM KozhikodeProfessional Certification in HR Management and Analytics
  • 6 Months
Bestseller
Duke CEDuke CEPost Graduate Certificate in Product Management
  • 4-8 Months
Bestseller
upGrad KnowledgeHutupGrad KnowledgeHutLeading SAFe® 6.0 Certification
  • 16 Hours
Popular
upGrad KnowledgeHutupGrad KnowledgeHutCertified ScrumMaster®(CSM) Training
  • 16 Hours
Bestseller
PwCupGrad CampusCertification Program in Financial Modelling & Analysis in association with PwC India
  • 4 Months
upGrad KnowledgeHutupGrad KnowledgeHutSAFe® 6.0 POPM Certification
  • 16 Hours
O.P.Jindal Global UniversityO.P.Jindal Global UniversityMaster of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science
  • 12 Months
Bestseller
Liverpool John Moores University Liverpool John Moores University MS in Machine Learning & AI
  • 18 Months
Popular
Golden Gate UniversityGolden Gate UniversityDBA in Emerging Technologies with concentration in Generative AI
  • 3 Years
IIIT BangaloreIIIT BangaloreExecutive Post Graduate Programme in Machine Learning & AI
  • 13 Months
Bestseller
IIITBIIITBExecutive Program in Generative AI for Leaders
  • 4 Months
upGradupGradAdvanced Certificate Program in GenerativeAI
  • 4 Months
New
IIIT BangaloreIIIT BangalorePost Graduate Certificate in Machine Learning & Deep Learning (Executive)
  • 8 Months
Bestseller
Jindal Global UniversityJindal Global UniversityMaster of Design in User Experience
  • 12 Months
New
Liverpool Business SchoolLiverpool Business SchoolMBA with Marketing Concentration
  • 18 Months
Bestseller
Golden Gate UniversityGolden Gate UniversityMBA with Marketing Concentration
  • 15 Months
Popular
MICAMICAAdvanced Certificate in Digital Marketing and Communication
  • 6 Months
Bestseller
MICAMICAAdvanced Certificate in Brand Communication Management
  • 5 Months
Popular
upGradupGradDigital Marketing Accelerator Program
  • 05 Months
Jindal Global Law SchoolJindal Global Law SchoolLL.M. in Corporate & Financial Law
  • 12 Months
Bestseller
Jindal Global Law SchoolJindal Global Law SchoolLL.M. in AI and Emerging Technologies (Blended Learning Program)
  • 12 Months
Jindal Global Law SchoolJindal Global Law SchoolLL.M. in Intellectual Property & Technology Law
  • 12 Months
Jindal Global Law SchoolJindal Global Law SchoolLL.M. in Dispute Resolution
  • 12 Months
upGradupGradContract Law Certificate Program
  • Self paced
New
ESGCI, ParisESGCI, ParisDoctorate of Business Administration (DBA) from ESGCI, Paris
  • 36 Months
Golden Gate University Golden Gate University Doctor of Business Administration From Golden Gate University, San Francisco
  • 36 Months
Rushford Business SchoolRushford Business SchoolDoctor of Business Administration from Rushford Business School, Switzerland)
  • 36 Months
Edgewood CollegeEdgewood CollegeDoctorate of Business Administration from Edgewood College
  • 24 Months
Golden Gate UniversityGolden Gate UniversityDBA in Emerging Technologies with Concentration in Generative AI
  • 36 Months
Golden Gate University Golden Gate University DBA in Digital Leadership from Golden Gate University, San Francisco
  • 36 Months
Liverpool Business SchoolLiverpool Business SchoolMBA by Liverpool Business School
  • 18 Months
Bestseller
Golden Gate UniversityGolden Gate UniversityMBA (Master of Business Administration)
  • 15 Months
Popular
O.P.Jindal Global UniversityO.P.Jindal Global UniversityMaster of Business Administration (MBA)
  • 12 Months
New
Deakin Business School and Institute of Management Technology, GhaziabadDeakin Business School and IMT, GhaziabadMBA (Master of Business Administration)
  • 12 Months
Liverpool John Moores UniversityLiverpool John Moores UniversityMS in Data Science
  • 18 Months
Bestseller
O.P.Jindal Global UniversityO.P.Jindal Global UniversityMaster of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science
  • 12 Months
Bestseller
IIIT BangaloreIIIT BangalorePost Graduate Programme in Data Science (Executive)
  • 12 Months
Bestseller
O.P.Jindal Global UniversityO.P.Jindal Global UniversityO.P.Jindal Global University
  • 12 Months
WoolfWoolfMaster of Science in Computer Science
  • 18 Months
New
Liverpool John Moores University Liverpool John Moores University MS in Machine Learning & AI
  • 18 Months
Popular
Golden Gate UniversityGolden Gate UniversityDBA in Emerging Technologies with concentration in Generative AI
  • 3 Years
Rushford, GenevaRushford Business SchoolDoctorate of Business Administration (AI/ML)
  • 36 Months
Ecole Supérieure de Gestion et Commerce International ParisEcole Supérieure de Gestion et Commerce International ParisDBA Specialisation in AI & ML
  • 36 Months
Golden Gate University Golden Gate University Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
  • 36 Months
Bestseller
Ecole Supérieure de Gestion et Commerce International ParisEcole Supérieure de Gestion et Commerce International ParisDoctorate of Business Administration (DBA)
  • 36 Months
Rushford, GenevaRushford Business SchoolDoctorate of Business Administration (DBA)
  • 36 Months
Liverpool Business SchoolLiverpool Business SchoolMBA with Marketing Concentration
  • 18 Months
Bestseller
Golden Gate UniversityGolden Gate UniversityMBA with Marketing Concentration
  • 15 Months
Popular
Jindal Global Law SchoolJindal Global Law SchoolLL.M. in Corporate & Financial Law
  • 12 Months
Bestseller
Jindal Global Law SchoolJindal Global Law SchoolLL.M. in Intellectual Property & Technology Law
  • 12 Months
Jindal Global Law SchoolJindal Global Law SchoolLL.M. in Dispute Resolution
  • 12 Months
IIITBIIITBExecutive Program in Generative AI for Leaders
  • 4 Months
New
IIIT BangaloreIIIT BangaloreExecutive Post Graduate Programme in Machine Learning & AI
  • 13 Months
Bestseller
upGradupGradData Science Bootcamp with AI
  • 6 Months
New
upGradupGradAdvanced Certificate Program in GenerativeAI
  • 4 Months
New
KnowledgeHut upGradKnowledgeHut upGradSAFe® 6.0 Certified ScrumMaster (SSM) Training
  • Self-Paced
upGrad KnowledgeHutupGrad KnowledgeHutCertified ScrumMaster®(CSM) Training
  • 16 Hours
upGrad KnowledgeHutupGrad KnowledgeHutLeading SAFe® 6.0 Certification
  • 16 Hours
KnowledgeHut upGradKnowledgeHut upGradPMP® certification
  • Self-Paced
upGrad KnowledgeHutupGrad KnowledgeHutAWS Solutions Architect Certification
  • 32 Hours
upGrad KnowledgeHutupGrad KnowledgeHutAzure Administrator Certification (AZ-104)
  • 24 Hours
KnowledgeHut upGradKnowledgeHut upGradAWS Cloud Practioner Essentials Certification
  • 1 Week
KnowledgeHut upGradKnowledgeHut upGradAzure Data Engineering Training (DP-203)
  • 1 Week
MICAMICAAdvanced Certificate in Digital Marketing and Communication
  • 6 Months
Bestseller
MICAMICAAdvanced Certificate in Brand Communication Management
  • 5 Months
Popular
IIM KozhikodeIIM KozhikodeProfessional Certification in HR Management and Analytics
  • 6 Months
Bestseller
Duke CEDuke CEPost Graduate Certificate in Product Management
  • 4-8 Months
Bestseller
Loyola Institute of Business Administration (LIBA)Loyola Institute of Business Administration (LIBA)Executive PG Programme in Human Resource Management
  • 11 Months
Popular
Goa Institute of ManagementGoa Institute of ManagementExecutive PG Program in Healthcare Management
  • 11 Months
IMT GhaziabadIMT GhaziabadAdvanced General Management Program
  • 11 Months
Golden Gate UniversityGolden Gate UniversityProfessional Certificate in Global Business Management
  • 6-8 Months
upGradupGradContract Law Certificate Program
  • Self paced
New
IU, GermanyIU, GermanyMaster of Business Administration (90 ECTS)
  • 18 Months
Bestseller
IU, GermanyIU, GermanyMaster in International Management (120 ECTS)
  • 24 Months
Popular
IU, GermanyIU, GermanyB.Sc. Computer Science (180 ECTS)
  • 36 Months
Clark UniversityClark UniversityMaster of Business Administration
  • 23 Months
New
Golden Gate UniversityGolden Gate UniversityMaster of Business Administration
  • 20 Months
Clark University, USClark University, USMS in Project Management
  • 20 Months
New
Edgewood CollegeEdgewood CollegeMaster of Business Administration
  • 23 Months
The American Business SchoolThe American Business SchoolMBA with specialization
  • 23 Months
New
Aivancity ParisAivancity ParisMSc Artificial Intelligence Engineering
  • 24 Months
Aivancity ParisAivancity ParisMSc Data Engineering
  • 24 Months
The American Business SchoolThe American Business SchoolMBA with specialization
  • 23 Months
New
Aivancity ParisAivancity ParisMSc Artificial Intelligence Engineering
  • 24 Months
Aivancity ParisAivancity ParisMSc Data Engineering
  • 24 Months
upGradupGradData Science Bootcamp with AI
  • 6 Months
Popular
upGrad KnowledgeHutupGrad KnowledgeHutData Engineer Bootcamp
  • Self-Paced
upGradupGradFull Stack Software Development Bootcamp
  • 6 Months
Bestseller
KnowledgeHut upGradKnowledgeHut upGradBackend Development Bootcamp
  • Self-Paced
upGradupGradUI/UX Bootcamp
  • 3 Months
upGradupGradCloud Computing Bootcamp
  • 7.5 Months
PwCupGrad CampusCertification Program in Financial Modelling & Analysis in association with PwC India
  • 5 Months
upGrad KnowledgeHutupGrad KnowledgeHutSAFe® 6.0 POPM Certification
  • 16 Hours
upGradupGradDigital Marketing Accelerator Program
  • 05 Months
upGradupGradAdvanced Certificate Program in GenerativeAI
  • 4 Months
New
upGradupGradData Science Bootcamp with AI
  • 6 Months
Popular
upGradupGradFull Stack Software Development Bootcamp
  • 6 Months
Bestseller
upGradupGradUI/UX Bootcamp
  • 3 Months
PwCupGrad CampusCertification Program in Financial Modelling & Analysis in association with PwC India
  • 4 Months
upGradupGradCertificate Course in Business Analytics & Consulting in association with PwC India
  • 06 Months
upGradupGradDigital Marketing Accelerator Program
  • 05 Months

4 Key Differences Between Leadership and Management

Updated on 06 November, 2024

5.83K+ views
• 7 min read

Management and leadership are popular terms in business. Every business needs leaders and managers to succeed. But because of the nature of their roles, many people confuse the two. Understanding the difference between leader and manager can help you in evaluating yourself. If you want to advance your career, it would be best to figure out which skills you need and for what purpose.

And you can do that only after understanding the difference between the two. While leadership is about showing a vision and leading the company there, management is about running the day-to-day activities properly. Each of them is valuable, and an organization can’t succeed in the absence of either of them.

However, you can’t replace one with another. Although management and leadership are not the same, they work great only when used together.

Difference Between Leadership and Management

Although both of the terms seem synonymous, there are plenty of differences between the two. Here are the most prominent ones:

Differences in Definition

What is Leadership?

Leaders inspire people to change. A leader is supposed to help his or her followers with the problems they face. Leadership is a combination of right skills. Leadership requires you to build trust with people and show them a path. One of the most popular leaders currently is Elon Musk. He is hailed as a leader in his organization because of his ability to inspire people.

It is a quality which a few people possess. People follow these leaders because this quality requires the person to have a strong vision.

What is Management?

Management is the coordination and organization of activities to achieve specific goals. Management is about organizing, planning, directing, and controlling the resources of the organization. Management is present everywhere. You can see it in homes, schools, offices, and companies. When a teacher is organizing the study plans, creating the study plans, and directing the co-teachers on how to help other students, it’d be called management.

Management is about planning and organizing people. Management requires leadership in some instances too. Few programs that can help you increase your knowledge in the field of management are Product Management, Entrepreneurship, marketing and many more. upGrad provides many management courses that can be of your help, like- PG Program-Specialisation in Sales and Digital Marketing, Product Management Certifcation Program.

Differences in Focus

Encouragement 

A leader focuses on encouraging his or her followers. Like we mentioned in the definition, a leader has to inspire people to change. And to do that, the leader has to encourage people to take action.

A leader is supposed to bring changes in the lives of his followers. And without taking action, one can’t see any difference.

That’s why a leader focuses on encouraging his followers to take action. He shows them what they will do and why.

Organization 

Unlike a leader, who focuses on encouraging his people to take action, a manager focuses on organizing the same.

So, a leader inspires action, whereas a manager sees that the action takes place optimally. The manager tells his people when they will do specific tasks. He also focuses on keeping the status quo maintained. He ensures that all the activities take place as they are supposed to. A manager tells his subordinates how they will do something.

Difference in Basis

Based on Trust 

Leadership is based on trust. A leader can’t function if his followers don’t trust him. A leader has to ensure that his followers don’t doubt him.

And in case any doubts arise, the leader focuses on answering them help the followers in staying focused on their goals. Trust is built in numerous ways. For example, Elon Musk built trust among his employees through leading by example.

Based on Control 

Management is based on control. A manager has to control his subordinates to ensure that they are functioning correctly.

A manager exercises control over his subordinates. He assigns them tasks and responsibilities. Without control, management isn’t possible. A manager should understand his subordinates properly to bring out the best in them. Exercising control helps the manager in this regard.

Difference in Roles

Role of a Leader 

A leader has a vision, and he shows that to his followers. The leader brings change to the lives of the people. He inspires his followers by promising change. That’s why all great politicians are great leaders too.

Great politicians always give a vision to their followers and help them achieve the same. Leaders bring change to the lives of their followers. They give direction to them as to where they will head together.

Role of a Manager

A manager has to make the best use of every available resource, including his subordinates. He ensures that his team achieves the desired results win the best possible way.

Managers are problem-solvers. They react to the arising hurdles. Apart from that, managers have to maintain stability, unlike leaders who might change the status quo.

Which One are you ?

You could be a leader as well as a manager. You can’t separate leadership and management because it can lead to chaos. A manager should know about leadership; however, a leader doesn’t need to be always a manager.

Every company needs a manager who can plan, organize, and conduct its daily activities and a leader who can inspire its people and motive them to give their best. In the absence of one, the other will tarnish.

But which one are you?

To figure that you, take the help of the following points:

  •         Do people come to you automatically for advice?

 A rule of thumb to figure whether you’re more of a leader or a manager is to see how many people outside of your hierarchy come to you for advice.

  •         If the number is high, then you’re more of a leader.

Do people trust your opinions more than others?

 Leaders build trust among their followers. If many people trust your opinions and you influence their opinions, then you’re more of a leader.

  •         Do you inspire, or do you control?

 If you’re authoritative, you’d be more of a manager. But if you inspire people through leading by example, you’d be more of a leader.

Featured Program for you: MBA from Golden Gate University USA

Both are Important.

It’s an undeniable fact that leadership is just as important as management. If a person has both of these qualities, then he’s like a superhero. Companies need people who have these skills. So developing them can go a long way in helping your career.

Learn MBA Courses from the World’s top Universities. Earn Masters, Executive PGP, or Advanced Certificate Programs to fast-track your career.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is leadership in an MBA?

Leadership in MBA is a quality that is honed by people who thereby inspire their team towards the right direction. It is a process that involves persuading people to work together in achieving the objectives. Such a person is known as a leader. A leader promotes innovation and talent development and focuses on interpersonal relationships. A leader is also a fearless motivator and is not likely to be hesitant to take calculated risks ensuring high rewards for the organisation. Leadership promotes vision, honesty, and inspiration. A true leader also focuses on trustworthiness for his team and effective communication.

2. How is management defined in an MBA?

Management in MBA is a technique to deal with different age groups and situations to work together for achieving a common objective. A manager is in charge of all the activities of management in an organisation. Managers are responsible for handling daily operations and working at the implementation and delivery levels. Managers need the ability to create a vision and the ability to direct. They can be in charge of process management. Managers are people focused with multiple skills like people management skills, communication skills, technical skills, problem-solving skills, decision-making skills, etc.

3. What are the main differences between leadership and management?

Leadership is essentially a part of effective management. It is a crucial component of management. Leadership and management are two different ways of how teams are organised. While leadership is about setting a new direction, management is about the arrangement and managing of the workforce. However, managers play the role of a leader too. So, as such, they both go hand in hand as a complement to each other. An organisation needs both equally for its growth and survival. Leaders are known to create a vision, whereas managers focus on setting, measuring, and achieving goals. Leaders initiate risk-taking, whereas managers control risk.