Managing and leading are two distinct and complementary systems of action. The manager uses a formal, rational method whilst the leader uses passion and stirs emotions. Management relies more on planning, organisational and communications skills whereas leadership is mostly about behaviour, especially towards others. Leadership relies on management skills too, but more so on qualities such as integrity, honesty, courage, commitment, sincerity, passion, confidence, positivity, wisdom, and determination. Leadership is just one of the many assets a successful manager must possess and most researchers agree that leadership style isn't just a function of personality. The best leaders actively choose their leadership style to fit a given situation. Use this interactive tool to assess your leadership styles and strengths.
Today there is huge awareness of and interest in, modern leadership methods. Effective modern leaders need to have emotional strength and sensitivity beyond traditional ideas of more limited autocratic leadership styles. Increased awareness and interest in corporate responsibility and the many related concepts, such as Fair Trade, sustainability, social and community responsibility make ethical leadership more important than ever. Other drivers come from the need for managers to get the best from a growing workforce of remote workers operating under flexible working practices. The current economic climate also creates the need for leaders to provide vision and direction to achieve things that currently don’t appear to be achievable. Now, more than ever, businesses need effective leadership and management. If you want to:
- distinguish between managing and leading
- recognise the skills and characteristics of leaders
- understand that leaders use different styles
- create an inspiring vision and align people to achieve it
- understand what motivates people, and how to foster an inspiring work environment
- learn techniques for energising problem employees
Use this Harvard ManageMentor resource to learn about the characteristics and styles of effective leaders, and also how leaders craft visions, align people to those visions, and then energize and inspire others. Access to this tool is available through the Northern Leadership Academy (registration is required).
The DTI, partnering with the Chartered Management Institute, conducted one of the largest ever studies of workers in the UK to ask them what inspired them to follow leaders. Inspirational Leadership: Insight to Action is based on these research findings and its purpose is to enable leaders to be clearer about their most natural leadership styles and strengths so that they can shape their roles and those of their team accordingly. The emphasis is to raise awareness of strengths in leadership. Use the Inspirational Leadership Insight to Action Tool.
Further informationBusiness Link's information library gives you instant access to information and tools to help you tackle key business issues. View our full range of guides on skills and training.
Access to help and supportThere is a range of support available for businesses in the North West and you can search our business support directory to find solutions for your business.
Alternatively, if you would like to talk leadership and management and how we could support your business, call the business adviser team on 0845 00 66 888 or use our contact us form.