I’m a fan of business books and business quotes… and quotes in general, I guess.  Here are some of my favorite quotes on management, leadership, and the difference between the two.

What do managers do?

“Good management consists in showing average people how to do the work of superior people.” –John D. Rockefeller

“Whenever there is a hard job to be done, I assign it to a lazy man.  He is sure to find an easy way of doing it.”  –Walter Chrysler

“Management is nothing more than motivating other people.” –Lee Iacocca

OK, so how do you define a leader?

“A leader is a dealer in hope.” –Napoleon Bonaparte

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.”  –John Quincy Adams

“Two characteristics of a leader: he knows where he’s going, and he has people following him.”

What is the difference between management and leadership?

“Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.”  –Peter Drucker

“Management is efficiency in climbing the ladder of success; leadership determines whether the ladder is leaning against the right wall.” –Stephen Covey

“The leader innovates; the manager administrates.  The leader focuses on people; the manager focuses on systems and structure.  The leader inspires; the manager controls.  The leader sees the long-term; the manager sees the short-term.  The leader asks what and why?  The manager asks how and when?” –Warren Bennis

I think it’s easy to confuse managers for leaders because of their titles and their positions.  Sometimes it’s frustrating being self-employed, knowing that nothing is going to get done without some internal direction and motivation.  There is no boss to tell me what the priorities are this week.  There is no leader determining the direction of the company.  And then I wake up, thankful for the great opportunity and freedom I have working for myself.

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