Leadership vs. Management: Competition or Complementarity?

Leadership and management: two roles, two different functions?

Have you ever heard that "a good leader isn't necessarily a good manager," and vice versa? It almost seems like a struggle between two opposing roles, but is that really the case? Or are leadership and management two pieces of the same puzzle?

John P. Kotter, professor emeritus at Harvard Business School, has debunked many myths on this topic, demonstrating that Successful companies don't have to choose between one or the other, but integrate both..

The problem: Companies are “over-managed” and “under-led”

Many companies suffer from too much management and too little leadership. What does it mean?

• Too much bureaucracy, too little inspiration. Organizations are often full of processes, reports, and hierarchies, but lack clear, motivating direction.
• The aim is to reduce risks rather than seize opportunities. Managers want to avoid problems, leaders want to solve them and create something new.
• Employees feel like they are just cogs in a system. Without engaging leadership, top talent fades… or leaves.

💡 The solution? Balancing the two functions. Management is essential for maintaining order, but without leadership, the company risks stagnation.

Vision vs. Planning: Two Complementary Strategies

Kotter emphasizes that Leaders set the direction, managers create the plans to get there..

• Managers set budgets, goals, and deadlines. They take care of the “today,” making sure everything runs as efficiently as possible.
• Leaders develop a long-term vision. They look beyond, identify opportunities, and create strategies for the future.

📌 Concrete example: In 1979, Lou Gerstner, president of American Express's Travel Related Services division, challenged traditional business thinking and focused entirely on the affluent customer market, creating new products and services. He didn't just manage the present, he redefined the company's future.

Communication and alignment: leadership motivates, management organizes

One of the big differences between leaders and managers is how they engage people.

• The manager organizes and assigns tasks. Divides work into tasks, assigns roles, and makes sure everything gets done efficiently.
• The leader aligns and motivates. It creates connections, inspires, and gives employees a reason to feel part of something bigger.

Control vs. Motivation: The Secret to Driving Change

A company can have the best strategy in the world, but if people are not involved, nothing will really change.

• Management monitors and resolves problems. Monitors results and intervenes when something goes wrong.
• Leadership motivates and inspires. Get employees to give their all because they believe in the project, not just because they have to meet deadlines.

Is there a balance between leadership and management?

So, who's more important? The manager or the leader?

The truth is that Companies do not have to choose between leadership and management, but integrate both.

• Without management, chaos takes over. No organization can function without a system that ensures order and control.
• Without leadership, we remain stagnant. In an ever-changing world, we need someone to lead the way, inspire, and motivate the team.

🔹 Open question: What's your leadership style? Are you more management-oriented or vision-oriented? How could you improve the balance between these two aspects?

What do you think?

How do you rate your leadership and management balance? Tell us in the comments! 💬

🔗 Open Source Management Resources

📚 Insights into Leadership and Management

🔗 Other resources