To view management as synonymous with leadership can be limiting. While both areas contribute to a company’s success, it is important to note their distinct features; each requires different strengths and skill sets and addresses unique functions within an organization.

Management involves the often more technical undertaking of using data and processes to oversee a team or project’s many moving parts. Comparatively, leadership focuses more on crucial soft skills – such as communication, talent development, and collaboration – to achieve goals. While effective management and leadership describe respective functions needed for success, merging aspects from both can allow managers to better develop and retain talent, and more efficiently reach goals.

This article will explore the meaningful differences between leadership and management, and why managers should blend strategies from both areas to maximize their people’s (and their own) potential.