Managers can be bosses. They can also be leaders. Too often, it’s an either-or proposition, one could negatively impact organizational success and the other could be a positive influence.
The descriptions are not mutually exclusive in all cases. Project managers, for instance, are typically part boss and part leader.
CEO Weekly notes that the dual skill sets do not complement one another; however, when bosses are authoritative micro-managers, they exert power over employees by telling them what to do, how to do it and what employees can expect if they don’t follow orders.
A leader, on the other hand, inspires employees. They possess “a clear vision and communicates it effectively,” the magazine says, adding that the most successful managers “listen to their team, value their input, and take their opinions into account.
How Do Business Professionals Acquire Leadership Management Skills?
The Business Leadership course in Jacksonville State University’s accredited Master of Business Administration (MBA) online program curriculum takes students through a comprehensive, practical focus on leadership and management.
The course emphasizes emerging leadership theories through case studies and analyses of contemporary perspectives on leadership skills, which are a frequent topic of management futurist Simon Sinek.
“Leadership is a choice. It is not a rank,” Sinek advises, adding that leaders “build [team members’] self-confidence, give them opportunities to try and fail.” This is something a boss would never consider.
The accredited program also guides students through the impact of management styles on organizational culture. A Sloan Review of 34 million employee profiles, for instance, found that workplace environment was ten times more important than compensation in predicting turnover.
It reported, “the leading elements contributing to toxic cultures include failure to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion; workers feeling disrespected; and unethical behavior,” which are emphasized in the Business Leadership course.
What Are Essential Management Skills for Organizational Leaders?
In addition to technical management expertise such as the ability to analyze processes, budget management, the capacity for strategic thinking and overall business acumen, Indeed says effective leaders possess key people skills, including:
- Communication — vital for productive interaction with stakeholders, ranging from team members to suppliers, during negotiations and client meetings.
- Mentoring, coaching and a “lead-by-example” attitude — all of which support employee satisfaction and effective contributions to team goals.
- Motivation — increasingly important in bringing together a generationally, racially and ethnically diverse workforce to achieve team and company goals.
“Employers want candidates with the soft skills necessary to thrive and successfully adapt in the workplace since occupations and the talents in demand are continuously changing,” according to Forbes.
Why Are Project Managers Part Boss and Part Leader?
As noted previously, effective project managers are sometimes bosses and other times leaders. As IT Project Managers notes, bringing projects to successful conclusions requires both skill sets: “Project management describes what to do, while leadership gives an option on how to do it.”
In the boss role, the magazine says, project managers select team members, set timelines, ensure goals are met and direct and control workflows to keep objectives in focus. As leaders, project managers encourage team members to take ownership of their roles and provide positive reinforcements to create a productive, energizing work environment.
How Do Leaders Motivate Their Teams?
A key driver in the pandemic-era Great Resignation (when record numbers of workers quit their jobs) was the failure of management to meet employees’ intrinsic motivators. As opposed to extrinsic motivation — which is a transactional (“you do this, I’ll give you that”) — intrinsically motivated employees value relationships, meaningful work, respect and opportunities for advancement.
Management leaders encourage team members to innovate, set SMART goals and follow up with feedback to help them understand how their work affects organizational achievement. LinkedIn outlines several leadership strategies for meeting the needs of intrinsically motivated employees, including:
- Give them autonomy to make decisions about their work, how and when they do it.
- Create opportunities for them to learn, participate in training, conferences and opportunities to take on new challenges.
- Help them identify their workplace passions and provide assignments that match their motivation.
- Encourage a collaborative, energized work environment.
“Hiring managers look for leaders who can spot employees’ strengths and encourage them to develop their skill sets,” according to Fast Company. “Motivational people management skills will serve you well in almost any management position.
Graduates of an advanced business program in accounting, such as that at Jacksonville State University, are equipped to be effective business leaders who inspire and encourage, not just managers.
Learn more about Jacksonville State University’s online Master of Business Administration program.