Managers v/s Leaders – This debate has been going on for decades. Who is better? Are all leaders essentially better managers? Do leaders perform better? Can managers eventually evolve into leaders? These questions are often asked in corporate intellectual forums. Demarcations are often blurred and more often depends on perceptions of the writers / public speakers. With hundreds of Management Institutes minting out mediocrity as managers in dozens and often anointing them with tag of young leaders, the common public is generally confused. Therefore, I decided to address this issue.
The next logical question is ‘Are leaders born or they can be minted?’ This is also generally left vaguely addressed. Indian history and mythology is full of management and leadership lessons from Vedas, Ramayan, Mahabharat, Geeta and Arth Shashtra of Chanakya but present generation, in this instant noodles age, has very little time to study and learn from these.
Management is a Science of managing materials and men while Lleadership is an art of accomplishing beyond the achievement of Managers. Therefore, the comparison itself is unrealistic. Management in simple words, consists of five functions namely planning, organizing, directing, coordinating and controlling the resources of both men and material to accomplish a mission. So they simply deal with plans, resources, standards, budgets and outcomes with measured performances.
To explain leadership, let me give you a quote from Gen Collin Powell, Former Secretary of State and Chief of Defence Staff of USA. To quote Gen Powell “Leadership is the art of accomplishing more than the science of management says is possible.” In simple words, while managers make 2 + 2 = 4 or even better managers may make 2 + 2 = 5, but good leaders convert 2 + 2 into 22, achieving much more than the desired outcome.
It is also often asked whether military leadership is better than corporate leadership? Having been a military leader for 36 years, it’s obligatory on me to squarely answer this question. Military Leadership is certainly at a higher pedestal then corporate leadership since it can “convert defeat into victory” In war, there is no second chance and also no prize for runners up. Either you are a winner or you are dead. Military leaders lead their men into battle and motivate them for the supreme sacrifice without much of material gains or resources at their disposal, to motivate them. Still by their charismatic leadership, personal examples and courage, they lead them into battle. They motivate their team to scale unconquered Heights of Glory and success. Corporate leadership is quick on uptake to pick up these motivating lessons from military leadership, which are worth emulating.
Having defined the broad contours of the managers, leaders and military leadership, we are now in a position to answer the question- Are leaders born or can be produced? it’s my belief, supported by knowledge and experience that while managers can be trained and produced by institutes/colleges, the leadership qualities have to be in the DNA. Leadership skills can only be honed and not developed. That’s the reason why the recruitment advertisement for taking young officers in Army says “Do you have it in you?” It is during the SSB (the finest selection system in the world) where the leadership qualities in potential candidates are checked. If found ingrained in a candidates, they are selected and subsequently, a tough training hones these skills to convert these boys/girls into man/woman of substance.
Let me now give you an example from the Army way of leadership. How do we motivate our soldiers to give their life without a thought, while we do not have the following conventional motivational tools/powers with us:-
- Pay and allowances and all finances are fixed. No scope for financial incentives.
- Annual Increments are not linked to performances.
- Leave entitlement is fixed. It can’t be denied and not even one extra day could be given.
- Four promotions are assured to every soldier and officer so as to think, work and perform without fear or favours.
- Postings are issued centrally as per well laid down policy.
- It’s a permanent job and no soldier can be fired / sacked at the personal whims and fancy of the senior commanders. Laid down process has to be followed ensuring a very fair trial.
I hope the controversy of managers v/s leaders has been adequately address with examples drawn from military leadership, the highest Pedigree of leaders. In the next concluding Part 2, I’ll give out some leadership lessons to my corporate leaders from based on my experiences and knowledge.
Let me conclude by a fair assessment that a successful business owner needs to be both – a strong leader and a good manager. It’s essential to get your team on board, optimally utilize the resources and lead them towards their vision of success.
From the desk of –
Maj Gen C P Singh, Retd
Maj Gen C P Singh, Retd is a scholar soldier accredited with MA, MSc, LLB, MBA, M Phil (Def Mgt) and M Phil (International Strategic Affairs).
Widely travelled in India and Abroad, the General Officer is an avid reader and prolific writer.
Post retirement, he is a Social Activist, Career Consultant and a Motivational Speaker of repute.
The author can be contacted at – www.majgencpsingh.com