Leadership vs Management Roles

The Definition of Leadership

There are many definitions of leadership out there, but a simple definition that is very valid, particularly today, is that leadership is about motivating others towards achieving a common goal, and you really don’t need to be in an official management position in order to do that. People look at leadership and they look at an organization chart and then they point out the leaders. But you don’t have to be in a hierarchal position to demonstrate leadership. That message can often get lost. Everyone can be a leader, regardless of role.

Leadership of Today

The organizational structure or management structure is described as its leadership, and individuals who earn the manager role are called leaders. However, in order to be effective in an organization, both leaders and managers need to manage resources effectively, and leadership goes beyond that. Leadership doesn’t just involve looking at what needs to be done and delegating, it requires a lot of hands-on, intuitive work. Leaders must communicate effectively and passionately to those that they’re leading, with a constant undercurrent of motivation. Motivation is key in leadership because that is how you create change within the people you lead and your organization as a whole.

Important Qualities of Leaders

There are many qualities that make a good leader. Some of these are timeless traits that have been integral to leadership success for decades, and other traits are new and have been developed as the workplace and need has changed. The willingness to put one’s team ahead of the leader is one of the most important traits that a good leader can demonstrate. Trust and integrity are also vital qualities of good leaders. No one is perfect, anyone can make mistakes, but a good leader will take responsibility for her or his impact. They know that they don’t have all the answers, and are willing to ask for input from others when making decisions. Empathy and the ability to connect is another quality that is crucial for successful leadership today.