Research

Most organizations today spend a lot of time cultivating the best and the brightest into ultimate managers. Few organizations take the time to teach leadership qualities. Their belief is management skills can be learned, leadership on the other hand is something you have or you don't have. They believe leadership is something that can not be taught so why waste time teaching it.

Organizations large & small cite leadership as a critical component of their success. Yet the term "leadership" is often used as a synonym for "management".

They are not the same (Noa & Ruggero, 2005). Leader defined, they influence people, they provide purpose, they provide direction, and motivation. They strive to accomplish the mission and improve the organization. Mangers defined plan, set targets, track and budget numbers. Good managers are vital to any organization; unfortunately some managers do not turn out to be good leaders. The famous leadership scholar Peter Drucker said that management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things (Ohair et al., 2005). Both may sound the same but they are totally different. They require a different skill, which is why they are two different entities. There are so many different theories, explanations, and courses offered to mold a certain person into an effective manager and leader.

Purpose of Study

The purpose of this research is to first focus on how the business world today defines managers and leaders. Second what they think makes a person an effective manager and leader. Third are the two able to be combined so a person can hold the status of and effective manager and leader.

The Problem

Are a managers duties to tedious, would these duties hold this person back from being an effective leader too? Are leaders born or can leadership become a learned skill just as managers learn to be effective managers? Can a person become an effective manager and leader at the same time and be effective?

Review of Literature

Leaders

A leader is a person that can influence people and their behavior (Ohair et al., 2005). Leaders can positively influence others to strive for a certain objective; they can influence a situation and direct it to go a certain way. Adair and Barnett (2001) state leaders are concerned with people; it is a psychological-or if you like, a spiritual-connection between human beings. The leader is not a boss, but as first among equals; seeking to bring out the full potential of those he works with; careful to carry them with him in all he seeks to do.

Managers

A manager coordinates and organizes activities (Ohair et al., 2005). Managers develop processes and ways of measuring things. They plan, set targets, budget and track numbers. They write guidelines to keep the organization running smoothly (Noa & Ruggero, 2004). To be a successful manager one must develop their skill in building relationships, communicating, problem solving, coaching and leading teams (Pharmrep, 2003). They focus on activities, such as effective team building relationships with employees, and measuring and managing their employees' performance.

Leadership vs. Management

In the competitive and ever changing business climate of the 21st century, strong leaders and managers, while