What Is the Difference Between Leadership and Management?

As you contemplate the trajectory of your career and the education needed to get there, two words will emerge: management and leadership.

Solid skills in both areas are vital to the success of any business, and there’s a fair amount of crossover between the two. But there are key differences as well, and exploring these may help you find a career path that aligns well with your abilities and goals.

What Is Leadership?

Leaders set the company’s direction and vision. They inspire those around them by communicating what they can achieve together and developing strategies to achieve that vision.

“Leadership involves guiding, directing, influencing people, creating goals and strategies, and implementing changes to move the organization close to its vision,” says Ernest Norris, PhD, faculty in the School of Business and Information Technology at Purdue Global.

Leadership is also about taking your employees to the next level.

“You're guiding employees who are working on projects for you, but you're also looking to see where their strengths are to help them develop their career,” says Susan Pettine, PhD, faculty in the School of Business and Information Technology at Purdue Global. “I’ve always said, ‘If you're working for me, my job is to make you so much better that you'll work above me someday.’”

7 Important Leadership Skills

Effective leaders all possess the following strengths and abilities:

1. Motivating others
2. Fostering potential
3. Inspiring trust
4. Taking on and giving up responsibility
5. Thinking strategically
6. Team building
7. Authenticity

What Is Management?

Managers direct resources to complete the immediate tasks and achieve a company’s short-term goals. They typically oversee budgets, contracts, processes, and resources. Managers are more concerned with productivity than developing business strategy.

“The goal of management is to maximize the opportunity to achieve positive outcomes,” says Norris. “Management focuses on controlling the organization’s activities to meet its overall objectives.”

Whereas leadership involves more big-picture, strategy-driven initiatives, management ensures the day-to-day operations get carried out efficiently.

“Management is being able to take the operation forward step by step,” says Pettine. “This involves planning and control, with the focus on moving things forward with the tasks and activities at hand.”

7 Key Differences Between Leadership and Management

>>Read More: MBA vs. MS in Management and Leadership: Which Degree Should You Choose? 

Train for the Skills You Need

Often, good leaders can benefit from improved management skills, and many managers could use better leadership skills.

“It's possible for anyone to move into leadership or management positions,” says Norris. “If someone wants to develop skills in both areas or grow their abilities, they can train to develop strengths in that particular area.” 

“If your career goals require greater management and leadership skills, Purdue Global’s Master of Science in Management and Leadership might be a good next step for you,” says Pettine, “especially if you are interested in helping people to develop and grow while you're managing them.”

Grow in Your Career With a Master’s in Management and Leadership

Students in Purdue Global’s online Master of Science in Management and Leadership (MSML) program learn the skills needed to become a successful leader in today’s fast-paced business world.

You can also choose from the following MSML degree concentrations:

• Global business
• Health care management
• Human resources
• Information technology
• Leadership
• Military leadership
• Organizational design and development
• Project management

Ready to take the next step? This online master's degree in management and leadership focuses on the most effective strategies and concepts to help you make a difference in today’s dynamic and global business environment. Reach out for more information.