Even though many people believe that management and leadership mean the same, they are slightly different. Management concerns performing tasks in accordance with the rules of a particular company. A good manager is perceived as a person whose instructions should be followed and, what is more important, help the company achieve its goals in certain areas. The most significant difference between management and leadership relates to the fact that leaders stick to long-term goals while managers work with short-term ones. A good leader knows how to make people enjoy the work they do and manifest their best character traits during the process. The relationships between the leader and staff are always built on mutual trust and respect. Leaders perceive themselves as their employees’ allies but not as managers.
It is also worth mentioning that good leaders may also be good managers and vice versa. I once met a person who combined both leadership and management skills. He owned a small coffee shop and often worked behind the counter. He said that it helps him better understand his customers and their needs and transform the work of the coffee shop to meet them. He was a friend to his employees and inspired them to work effectively and see long-term goals. At the same time, he is a good analyst and is often preoccupied with the KPI of the business. That is why he gives his employees tasks oriented toward short-term goals and defines the ways of their performance and the deadlines. This example clearly shows that good managers should be good leaders because it helps them effectively organize the employees’ work and inspire them to perform their duties well.