Discerning the Differences Between Managers and Leaders

Abstract

Schools today continue to evolve into increasingly complex organizations, as the diversity of students continues to expand. In tandem with these developments is the expectation for all students to meet increasingly higher learning standards-thus the vision of maximum educational success for all students. Escalating standards and changing demographics place new demands on educational leaders. Effective leadership plays a vital role in setting the direction for successful schools. This is true for all schools, whether the leader is a school board member, superintendent, principal, or teacher. More than ever, educational visionaries and authentic leaders are needed. Schools have traditionally been full of quality managers but desperately short of leaders. "Leadership" and "management" are terms often used interchangeably in meaning and application. However, this is simply not the case. By definition and in practice, leadership and management are different functions requiring different skill sets. In short, managers have subordinates, while leaders have followers. This article examines the difference in descriptors between management and leadership.

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