Managers have subordinates. They are largely task oriented and get things done simply because they are in charge. They have the authority to tell people what to do and have them do it.

A leader has followers. They get things done because they make people want to do them. Their authority is granted to them by their followers.

Managers can become leaders, and leaders can become managers. While you can teach someone to manage, leadership is by and large an inherent quality. While one can learn leadership skills, without the innate ability to compel people to follow them, they may fail in the leadership role, while excelling in t

Leaders help us understand and make some kind of sense of our situation and environment. When things don't seem right, or are unclear, they are able to explain in language that we understand. Managers don't need understanding, they need compliance, and while they can help us along, it is in order to gain that compliance, not to reach understanding.

While management is somewhat mechanical, leadership is always based on perception by others. This perception is what makes people want to follow and please their leaders.

Some topics in this essay:
, managers leaders, achieve goals, leaders leaders, leaders help, leaders managers, people follow, managers tell,