Management is concerned with organising a structure to accomplish the plan, helping the right people to find their right places within that plan and developing policies, procedures and systems to direct the people to fulfill the plan. Managers are the thinkers who help others to do.
Leadership is concerned instead with communicating the vision and developing a shared culture and core set of genuinely-shared values that can lead the organisation to the desired future. This involves others as thinkers and doers, with the leaders themselves fostering a sense of ownership within everyone. The vision describes the future, while the culture and values help define the journey toward it. Leadership focuses on getting everyone lined up in the same direction.
Managers organise by separating people into specialties and functions, with clear boundaries separating them by department and hierarchical level. Leaders break down boundaries so people know what others are doing, can coordinate easily, and feel a sense of teamwork, equality and overall purpose in fulfilling God’s will.
A good indicator in looking for leadership potential is to look for the ability to think across departmental issues, not just the ability to make a strong case for one department. When it comes to the allocation of resources, leaders have to prioritise between multiple, well-presented, legitimate causes. One can only do this against a “big-picture” vision that covers the entire scope of the organisation. Good managers make good cases for their own departments, but often cannot see, or hear, the validity of parallel claims on resources.
Alignment means helping people understand and embrace the direction.
Management (Structure & Systems):
- Organises plans, people, and processes
- Helps individuals find their place in the plan
- Sets up systems, policies, and procedures
- Managers think so others can do
Leadership (Vision & Values):
- Communicates a shared vision and builds a healthy culture
- Develops shared values that shape how the journey is lived
- Involves everyone as both thinkers and doers
- Leaders help everyone feel ownership of the vision
| | |
|---|
| Creates clear departments & boundaries | Breaks down silos to promote teamwork |
| Focuses on individual parts | Thinks across the whole organisation |
| Advocates for own department | Prioritises using a big-picture lens |
In short:
Managers organise the plan. Leaders unite people behind the vision.
Download the self-evaluation tool to reflect on how you align people to direction.
Self Evaluation Alignment