LEAD.305.HSF1 Adaptive Decision Making

Week 2- Question 2 Management vs LeadershipManagement vs Leadership

QUESTION:

Is being a great manager the same as being a great leader? Why or Why not? Provide example of someone you have worked with who was a great leader and why did you think they were a great leader?

My answer: ( The roles of a manager and a leader are often intertwined, but they are not precisely the same. While there can be overlap between the two, each role carries distinct characteristics and responsibilities.

A great manager is typically focused on organizing and coordinating the work of a team, ensuring that tasks are completed efficiently and effectively. Managers often emphasize processes, systems, and achieving specific goals. They are responsible for planning, organizing, and controlling resources and monitoring and evaluating performance.

On the other hand, a great leader goes beyond management functions and focuses on inspiring, motivating, and influencing others to achieve a common vision or goal. Leaders are often concerned with the big picture, setting a direction, and guiding their team members toward success. They excel in building relationships, fostering collaboration, and creating a positive work culture.

While a person can possess both managerial and leadership qualities, it is not necessary that every great manager is a great leader or vice versa. Some managers may excel in the day-to-day operations and the efficient execution of tasks but may lack the ability to inspire and motivate their team members. Similarly, some leaders may have a compelling vision and the ability to inspire others but may struggle with the practical aspects of managing resources and achieving specific goals.

An example of a great leader I have worked with is my previous supervisor, Fatima. She possessed exceptional leadership qualities that set her apart. Fatima was highly skilled at creating a positive work environment where individuals felt valued, respected, and empowered. She had a clear vision for the team and effectively communicated the goals and objectives, ensuring that everyone understood their role and contribution.

Fatima also displayed excellent communication skills. She actively listened to team members' ideas and concerns, encouraged open dialogue, and valued diverse perspectives. She provided guidance and support while also allowing individuals the autonomy to make decisions and take ownership of their work.

One of the most remarkable qualities Fatima exhibited was her ability to inspire and motivate the team. She genuinely cared about the personal and professional growth of each team member. Fatima recognized and celebrated achievements, and she always made an effort to acknowledge the efforts of individuals.

Overall, Fatima's leadership went beyond managing tasks and resources. She created a positive and collaborative work environment, inspired trust and loyalty, and guided the team toward success. Her ability to combine managerial skills with exceptional leadership qualities made her a great leader.)

TO DO:

You need to respond to your classmate's answer to the above questions

Example ( I agree with you, Josh! While there can be similarities between a great manager and a great leader, the main difference lies in their capacity to build relationships with their team, motivate them, and cccrrreateee aaaaa culture of collaboration and effective communication. Both managerial and leadership skills are essential for achieving organizational success.)

classmate's answer #1

A great manager and a great leader can overlap but are not the same. They both look at accomplishing a goal but the approach they take can be different. When I think of a great manager, I think of someone that's organized, plans very well, and is very metric-focused to achieve goals. They lean on their rank or title for authority, but not in an overbearing way. A great leader can balance what a great manager does but also takes the time to know their team. They inspire, motivate, and empower their team. They communicate with their team, ask for constructive feedback and ideas, and listen to the concerns and ideas of their subordinates. This doesn't mean doing what their subordinates say but allowing them the opportunity to voice opinions, which at times could benefit the team.

An example of someone I have worked with and who I thought was a great leader, would be my first Company Commander when I joined the Army. She had her objectives for us to complete, but she also took the time to know all of us and she motivated us to be better soldiers. She had clear communication, a solid vision for our Company, and encouraged open dialogue. She didn't do things the traditional Army way which some didn't care for, but she accomplished the mission and we were close as a Company. If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't be where I am in my career. In fact, she listened to the leadership experience I had before the military, entrusted me with responsibilities above my rank, and encouraged me as I worked to become a non-commissioned officer. She inspired me, empowered me, and I have taken a lot of what she did for us then as I have become a senior leader now. She was a great leader, has become a good friend, and is someone whos mentored me as I've grown in my career.

Answer:

classmate's answer #2 There are some similarities between being a good manager and a good leader, but there are also some significant differences. Both jobs involve leading and influencing other people, but the most essential parts of each role are different. A good manager is great at organizing resources, setting goals, and making sure tasks are done quickly and well. On the other hand, a great leader motivates and inspires people or groups to work toward a shared goal. Even though some people can do well in both roles by combining management and leadership skills, the two roles have different tasks and traits.

I once worked with Ray, who was the manager of a retail store. He was an outstanding leader. Ray's best quality was how well he communicated and connected with his staff. He encouraged open communication and valued everyone's ideas, which made the workplace productive and inclusive. Ray showed confidence in his employees by giving them essential tasks, which helped them grow. His strong vision and leading-by-example style inspired his team to achieve amazing results. Even though he was a manager, Ray's leadership skills made him an exceptional leader and a great manager.

Answer:

classmate's answer #3

A great manager may be similar to a great leader but it isn't the same. The operation of a manager involves planning, organization, and coordination; a good leader inspires, motivates, and accompanies his team. A manager who isn't a leader is limited to directing his team to achieve an objective, while a manager who is a leader has interpersonal qualities that generate trust, empathy, admiration, and respect. In my last job, I had the opportunity to have a great leader, although she was in charge of huge responsibilities, she trusted each member who was part of the team she was forming. She focused on exploring each of the strengths of the team members, so to identify them she sought to have spaces in which she saw the behavior of everyone in different scenarios. She valued the ideas and contributions that were given in each meeting. our work was remote; however, she was aware of the progress and possible problems that the team had. She was a person with whom we could talk easily, she understated that we were human, she sought that the working conditions for all made our work an enriching experience. For each team member, she was a reference to whom we turned to when we didn't know which way to go, she also had an ideology of giving autonomy to all of us which was reflected in our performance. From my experience, she highlights those characteristics that I consider a good leader has.

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classmate's answer #4

Professor and Class,

Is being a great manager the same as being a great leader? Why or Why not?

I do not believe that great managers are the same as great leaders. Great managers are able to manage tasks, direct processes, and instruct. Leaders are able to connect and drive people towards a common goal and purpose. Leaders have an enate ability to motivate and inspire. I have worked for great managers that had zero personality and leadership. I have also worked with great leaders who just could not manage others.

Provide an example of someone you have worked with who was a great leader and why did you think they were a great leader?

In the U.S. Navy, I worked for a special woman who was the embodiment of both a great manager and a great leader. She cared about her people and was always able to inspire us to work hard and do our best. She instilled the importance of doing things right and helped us when we made mistakes. Our department was always a top performer in maintenance. She just has a special way of connecting the process to her people.

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