In many situations, we often hear the terms leader and manager. Whether in today’s business or even in social life, leader and manager are often misused, these two words do not cover the same reality. These are not synonyms and in this article of esscnyc, we will explain systematically what the difference between leader and manager is.

The etymology of leader and manager

Using the etymology of words often gives valuable information to understand the global meaning of a word and the ideas that these concepts encompass. Let us see the origins of these words and if this will allow us to know what is the difference between leader and manager.

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Leader

Leader comes from the verb in Old English leader, which means to guide, to walk in the head, to go in scout, to show the way.

In 1200, we find this term having the meaning of being in the first place.

In 1863, it is found in another work and it then assumes the sense of giving direction by example.

Manager

Manager is a borrowing to the Italian maggiore, which is a term of riding which means to train, to train. We find this same idea in the merry-go-round.

It is also interesting to note that maggiore comes from the Latin minus, a term, which has two meanings: the hand but also the military troop. This meaning is reflected in the expression Manu military (by military force).

The term manager appears in English books as early as 1785 in the sense of organizer and administrator, who is in charge of, who directs.

The leader

The leader is endowed with a strong charisma, his peers give his authority over the group to him, it is not a hierarchical or institutional authority. The others recognize him as the leader.

One can only be a leader if the others designate us as the leader; the leader exists within a team. Besides are the other advantages of working as a team in a company.

It is an informal position within the company, whose role is to motivate its colleagues and to take initiatives that are often original; it is a force of proposals.

It may, however, be perceived as the lacking organization.

The leader is a visionary who gives himself the means to realize the vision he has by putting the group forward.

Example of famous leaders

Mahatma Gandhi who led the process of peaceful revolution in India, which led to the independence of his country.

Joan of Arc, a true visionary in his time. It convinced the people and the king to take the lead of an army to drive out the English from the kingdom of France.

George Washington who led the American Revolution and who is considered the founding father of the nation.

Nelson Mandela, who fought his whole life against apartheid in South Africa. His leadership remained intact and his influence on his country the same, even having spent 30 years in prison because of his political actions.

The manager

The manager has a formal, institutional authority given to him by the hierarchy within the company.

It has a person or a team on which it exercises this authority by structuring tasks and objectives.

Its role is organizational.

Unlike the leader who has a mind, the manager has goals to achieve.

Leader and manager

These two figures are essential to the company and the success of a company. We have just stated what the difference between leader and manager is but are these profiles really antinomy?

Although it is true that a manager can also be a leader, a leader is not necessarily a manager. A profile is no better than another is, the important one is and they collaborate for a common goal in order to guarantee the success of a company.