Management and Leadership Paper
Leadership and management are two notions that are often used interchangeably. However, these words actually describe two different concepts. Below, I will discuss these differences and explain why both terms are thought to be similar.
Leadership is a facet of management, is just one of the many assets a successful manager must possess and care must be taken in distinguishing between the two concepts. The main aim of a manager is to maximize the output of the organization through administrative implementation. To achieve this, managers must undertake the following functions: Organization, Planning, Staffing, Directing, and Controlling.

Leadership is just one important component of the directing …show more content…

Leadership is a way of focusing and motivating a group to enable them to achieve their aims. It also involves being accountable and responsible for the group as a whole. A leader should provide continuity and momentum, be flexible in allowing changes of direction and ideally, a leader should be a few steps ahead of their team, but not too far for the team to be able to understand and follow them. Leaders must have a wide range of skills, techniques and strategies, which includes planning, communication skills, organization, and awareness of the wider environment in which the team operates.

Traditionally, a permanent team leader would be appointed by more senior levels of management or elected by the group. This technique relies on the assumption that one single person has all the strengths required. However, it has been argued that on the best teams, different individuals provide occasional leadership, taking charge in areas where they have particular strengths. Yet, no one is a permanent leader because that person would then cease to be a peer and the team interaction would begin to break down. This approach would eliminate the problem of a leader being isolated from his/her group.

It must be emphasized, however, that continuity and focus of the group must not be lost. As a matter of opinion, the best compromise may be to have a permanent leader who is flexible