Leadership vs. Management

Too often are the terms management and leadership used interchangeably, when in fact they are diametrically opposed.  They are the ying and yang of accomplishment.  A leader is a chaotic force within an organization, creating change and looking for new ways to do business.  Managers focus on stability and routine.  The manager uses stability as the standard for good performance. 

To be successful an organization requires managers and leaders.  Without leaders any enterprise is doomed to failure, it will not adapt, it will not learn new lessons.  Managers favor stability, familiar over change.  However, an organization of leaders cannot thrive either.  Constant change creates ambiguity, uncertainty.  Employees cannot thrive if they are required to learn a new way to do thier jobs everyday.  There must exist a balance between those forces that change and improve with those that embrace the status quo.

I do believe that one can transition between being a manager and a leader.  In fact in many situations one may be required to act as a manager/leader.  Improving thier organization within the constraints of thier manager's guidance.