Name: Olawole John Morayo

Matric No: 212281

Department: Agronomy

Course Code: AGE 411

Perspective on Leadership vs Management

Leadership and management are two extremely important components that are indispensable for the
effective functioning of any entity, they embody distinct philosophies, skill sets, and approaches. This
position paper aims to emphasize the importance of leadership over management based on the following
comparisons:

Managers set out to achieve organizational goals through implementing processes, such as budgeting,
organizational structuring, and staffing. On the other hand effective leadership is centered on a vision to
guide change. Leadership is about developing what the goals should be. Leaders are more intent on
thinking ahead and capitalizing on opportunities. This is what makes leaders easily adaptable to unforseen
circumstances.

Management emphasizes rationality and control. Managers embrace process, seek stability and control,
and instinctively try to resolve problems quickly, sometimes before they fully understand a problem’s
significance. Leaders, in contrast, tolerate chaos and lack of structure and are willing to delay closure in
order to understand the issues more fully. Hence, why leaders are more creative than managers.

Managers tend to adopt impersonal, if not passive, attitudes toward goals. Managerial goals arise out of
necessities rather than desires and, therefore focus more on process than outcome. Meanwhile, leaders are
active instead of reactive, shaping ideas instead of responding to them. Leaders adopt a personal attitude
toward goals. As such leaders focus more on the outcome than process

Managers tend to view work as an enabling process involving some combination of people and ideas
interacting to establish strategies and make decisions. Managers ensure that people play out their roles
perfectly. Leaders work in the opposite direction. Where managers act to limit choices, leaders develop
fresh approaches to long-standing problems and open issues to new options. Leaders are more flexible,
accommodating inputs from others.

A manager’s sense of self-worth is enhanced by perpetuating and strengthening existing institutions

where he or she is performing in a role that harmonizes with ideals of duty and responsibility. In contrast,
a leader's sense of who they are does not depend on memberships, work roles, or other social indicators of
identity. And that perception of identity may form the theoretical basis for explaining why certain
individuals seek opportunities for change.
Conclusion

While leadership and management manifest distinctive roles, they are interdependent and complementary
in practice. Effective leadership provides the overarching vision and direction, while adept management
translates this vision into actionable strategies and operational plans. Leadership inspires change and
innovation, whereas management ensures the execution and sustainability of these initiatives. In essence,
leadership sets the course, and management steers the ship towards its destination.