First of all, I would like to thank you for reading my blogs. Lot of people have e-mailed me regarding my blogs. Ironically, most of them asked me the same question – “Is your blog about Leadership OR Management”? And I tell people – “My blog is about Leadership AND Management”. But people don’t seem to understand that.
I guess, it became fashionable now days to separate “leaders” from “managers”. Some people may define Leaders as – “those who do the right things” and Managers as – “those who do things right”. I used to define Management and Leadership in the same way, before I realized that I might be missing the big picture. Most of the Leaders don’t define management as a part of Leadership anymore. And that’s where they are going in the wrong direction. With this mentality of differentiation between Leadership and Management, many leaders are detaching themselves from the messy process of managing. Thus, most of the times they don’t know what’s going on.
The truth is, many of the strategies in today’s world are built in isolation at the “top”. If this wouldn’t be the reason then we wouldn’t have seen major financial and automobile companies failing. Today, most of the Managers are told to meet their targets, or they will let go. This approach shapes-up Manager’s thinking. Instead of taking risks to create new opportunities, they become busy in meeting their targets. Besides, with so many of their colleagues gone in downsizing, they feel like, they have less and less time to think. This approach induces a big gap between Management and Leadership. Instead of thinking about the long-term vision (right thing), Managers become busy in looking good for the next quarter and “doing things right”.
Leaders/Managers of today don’t understand the fact that – Leadership and Management, both are interlocking competencies. One can’t exist without the other. I see leadership within the positional powers of managership. I understand that Managers are focused on serving the short term bottom-line numbers, to serve their own survival; while Leaders are suppose to live by the values in serving the larger and long term interest of stakeholders. But if Leaders start to manage within their organization, instead of impressing outsiders, then the organization can be efficient and successful. As far as my question is concerned – “Is Management more important than Leadership?”, I think that they both are really important. And if we can somehow create a tight bond between Leadership and Management then we can avoid companies from failing.
I hope my blog helped you in understanding yet another perspective of Management. If you have any other opinions then feel free to share with me on my blog.
Thanks. – Bhavin Gandhi
Bhavin Gandhi's Blog 
Partha
October 11, 2010 at 10:54 AM
Hi, I just read your articles.As you mentioned Leaders and Management both are same, I do not accept. Reason is that management always directing managers based on market dynamics and forcing to ignore employees recognition were in tough times.
I am the victim got confused last year with one of the mnc, either all the decisions taken by my leader or organization management against my smooth career ? But I am sure that the fume made by management to leave the company after 5 years contribution. My leader was same but the behaviour changed due to his targets.
If both are same why so many things happened after five years?
Bhavin Gandhi
October 11, 2010 at 1:18 PM
Hey Partha!
First of all, I would like to thank you for reading my article and sharing your opinion with me.
I guess, there is some misunderstanding between my statement and your opinion. When I mentioned, “Leadership and Management are the same thing”, I meant – they should work hand-in-hand for an organization to function successfully. Of course, we are not living in the perfect world by any means. Maybe that’s the reason why, you might have had the bad experience with your Management, even after devoting 5 years of your career to that particular organization.
But again, I truly believe that Management and Leadership should work hand-in-hand. And for an organization to be successful, we need to minimize the difference between Leadership and Management as much as possible. For example: look at the most successful organizations in the world, such as – Google, Apple, etc. Most of their Manager’s objectives are in-line with their company’s strategic direction.
I hope, my response was descriptive enough to explain my stand. Let me know, if you have any other questions or concerns.
Thanks.
Bhavin Gandhi
Jim Kearney
September 20, 2012 at 5:42 AM
Bhavin, i have just read your blog which is very interesting. I am support a debate on Mon afternoon that is arguing that management is more important than leadership whilst in command, do you have any poiters to suppor this argument? Many thanks in Advance. Jim
Bhavin Gandhi
September 20, 2012 at 5:44 PM
@Jim: Thanks for reading my blogs, and liking it. I am glad that the information presented here on my blog helped you.
And yeah! I will be willing to help you with your research, if you want. Just shoot me an e-mail with your specific questions or respond with your questions here, and I will definitely help you out.
Hope to talk to you soon.
Thanks – Bhavin Gandhi
Jim Kearney
September 21, 2012 at 4:51 AM
Bhavin, Thank you for getting in contact. I will eamil you my question. Jim
JKearney.jscsc@defenceacademy.mod.uk
September 21, 2012 at 5:10 AM
Dear Bhavin,
I am an ICSC student in the defence college in Shrivenham, I am supporting a colleague during a debate on Mon afternoon, my colleague is opposing the motion below and is arguing against the house, mainly that management is more important than leadership when in command. I am helping her with some research, as you are an expert in this field do you have any advice or could you point me to a series of document that would strengthen our argument.
‘This House believes that leadership is more important than management when exercising command’
Thank you very much in advance.
Jim Kearney
Bhavin Gandhi
October 1, 2012 at 2:48 PM
@Jim: I guess, you might have misunderstood my intent here. I was not trying to prove anything better than other (Leadership vs. Management). Through my research, I found that Leadership and Management should work hand-in-hand to become effective.
In reality, people use these two terms interchangeably. And that is the reason why, no one can say for sure how they differ. Most of the people consider Managers as management, even if, they are contributing through others and affecting company’s bottom line.
Let me know, if you require any other information from my side. I would love to help you out. Thanks – Bhavin Gandhi
Ndeshie
October 28, 2013 at 1:08 PM
Dear mr. Bhavin
I’m busy doing an educational task, and it asks which one between the management and leadership is more needed in our education..especially this time of educational reform and why? may you please help?
Bhavin Gandhi
October 29, 2013 at 1:19 PM
@Ndeshie: My response would differ on which country you live in. Strategy of educational reform will differ on the environment factors of that particular country.
Which country are you talking about? Can you please elaborate?
Thanks – Bhavin Gandhi
Ndeshie
October 29, 2013 at 1:24 PM
@Bhavin: African countries,,specifically Namibia!! Thank you..
Bhavin Gandhi
October 29, 2013 at 1:36 PM
@Ndeshie: Currently, I don’t have any knowledge about the education system in Namibia, and how it works. So, I have to take some time before I can respond to your question.
Thanks – Bhavin Gandhi