Leadership v. Management

While leading and managing are both essential to organizations, they are vastly different. As we learned in class and from the article, “What Leaders Really Do”, leaders cope with change. They set a direction, align people and motivate them. On the other hand, managers cope with complexity. They plan and budget, organize and staff, and control and problem solve.  I have experienced and observed this in two different situations in my life. 

This past summer I worked as a part time floating bank teller at a local bank in York. The term ‘floating’ means that I would travel to all branches in York, depending on which branches were short staffed. My supervisor at the bank displayed more of a manager role. Banks have many policies and practices that need to be followed which are set by the law and by corporate guidelines. Managers are expected to enforce these policies. For example, anything that is done in a bank vault is supposed to be ‘dual controlled’. This means that we were allowed access to the vault if we had at least one other employee with us.  At one particular branch, the vault was opened with two different combinations and the key box opened with two different keys. So, before I worked an opening shift at that branch, the manager needed to make sure that I had access to a five digit combination and one key to open the key box. This shows that the manager had to deal with complexities and conform to policies. This manager was also very safe when making decisions. One time an account holder wanted to deposit a check that her dog had literally chewed up and spit out. The check was severely crinkled, but all necessary numbers were visible. To be on the safe side, the manager refused to accept the check even though it technically could have been processed. When it came to following policies, she 'would rather be safe than sorry’.

My boyfriend, Nate, is an entrepreneur and started Xtreme Archery in York. His business consists of archery retail, service, and an indoor 3D target range.  Being an entrepreneur, he has a different way of looking at things and treating his employees. I have observed him take on more of a leadership role in his business. His direction for the business is simple; he wants to be the ‘go-to’ archery shop in York and surrounding areas. His strategy is to treat his customers to quality customer service and hope that they tell their friends, family and co-workers about their great experience. He is very imaginative in that hosting a sportsman’s yard sale in the parking lot, where people can buy and sell their used sporting equipment, is his way to increase community awareness. He made a goal to motivate his employees. If they collectively sold a certain number of new bows by the end of the year, they would all get to go to the highly anticipated Archery Trade Association (ATA) trade show in Columbus, Ohio this past January, all expenses paid. Needless to say, the motivational technique worked.

Looking at this experience and observation, I realize that part of the difference in leadership and management depends on the type of organization. Clearly Nate has more room to be a leader because he is his own boss. On the other hand, the bank manager has many policies and regulations to comply with and less freedom to make decisions.