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16 June 2023 - 3 min read
"The word 'impossible' is not in the leaders' dictionaries. No matter how big the challenges, strong faith, determination, and resolve will overcome them." – HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
In the fast-paced and dynamic business landscape of the Middle, a diverse region with varying cultural, social, and economic landscapes. Indeed, effective leadership and management plays essential roles in driving success as well as achieving organisational goals. While often used interchangeably, management and leadership are distinct in their approaches, skills, and outcomes.
Management is described ‘as a set of activities directed at the efficient and effective utilisation of the act of getting things done with others supporting the basic activities’, according to Management Study HQ. In other words, management involves:
Effective management ensures operational stability, consistency, and optimization of resources in the region's dynamic business environment. Indeed, Good managers are described as those who hold a specific set of skills in conjunction with their daily tasks so they can execute projects successfully. These skills include:
In times of adversity, employees often seek guidance and assistance from their managers, placing a burden on management to remain composed and offer appropriate solutions. In contrast, leaders typically do not experience the same level of responsibility, as they generally do not have direct reports relying on them for support.
Eventually, possessing comprehensive management knowledge allows managers to effectively guide their subordinates and teams, leading them towards achieving targets and organisational objectives with a level of expertise that may not be inherent in leadership roles alone.
McKinsey & Company describe leadership as ‘a set of behaviours used to help people align their collective direction, to execute strategic plans, and to continually renew an organisation’. This means that effective leadership requires a varied set of skills compared to management. Leaders, for example, are often the thought provokers in an industry or organisation, and are focused more on concepts, such as:
Therefore, leadership revolves around inspiring, influencing, and guiding individuals and teams toward a shared vision. It also encompasses the ability to motivate, empower, and foster innovation among employees. In the Middle East, where familial and tribal structures hold significance, leadership is often rooted in personal relationships, charisma, and trust.
Indeed, good leaders see problems as opportunities and are often able to break down barriers that may stand in the way of their teams meeting their goals or objectives. Managers, however, are much less likely to take risks as their job description implies following the rules that are conveyed by C-suite professionals.
While both roles require interpersonal skills, technical knowledge, supervisory abilities, and fast decision-making skills, it’s important to remember that management is there to impose guidelines for work and standards for behaviour, while leaders have a more practical role in shaping company culture and professional development in individuals and teams.
Accordingly, it should come as no surprise that the two can and should come together. In fact, the leadership style of individual managers accounts for a shocking 70% of employee engagement in the workplace, proving that the best managers are those seen as great leaders.
Organisations are often characterized by close-knit relationships and loyalty. Effective management revolves around maintaining stability, adhering to established norms, and ensuring operational efficiency. Managers are task-oriented, emphasizing the efficient execution of objectives, meeting deadlines, and ensuring operational effectiveness. They focus on the now and are able to think proactively on their feet. They also follow through with said vision, execute the big ideas, and drive the success of their teams.
Leadership, however, fosters adaptability, encourages creative problem-solving, and embraces change, allowing organisations to thrive in the face of shifting market demands and disruptions. Leaders are future-oriented. They set the vision, think the big ideas and inspire people. People-oriented, they focus on creating a supportive environment, nurturing talent, and empowering employees to reach their full potential.
In the Middle East, where respect for authority is deeply ingrained, leaders must leverage their influence to drive change, build consensus, and foster a collaborative culture that embraces diversity of thought and encourages innovative solutions. Consequently, management styles tend to be more directive and formal, with decisions flowing from the top-down. Leadership, on the other hand, often incorporates a relational approach, emphasizing mutual respect, building strong connections, and leveraging personal networks to motivate others.
Managers focus on achieving short-term objectives, meeting targets, and ensuring operational efficiency on a day-to-day basis. However, Leaders adopt a broader perspective, envisioning long-term goals, identifying strategic opportunities, and driving organisational transformation.
The world, with its rapidly evolving business landscape, benefits from visionary leaders who can adapt to change, navigate uncertainty, and steer organisations toward sustainable growth in the region's dynamic markets.
While management and leadership exhibit distinct characteristics, the most successful organisations recognize the synergy between the two. Cultivating a harmonious blend of management and leadership ensures stability, operational excellence, and visionary direction.
Effective managers understand the importance of incorporating leadership qualities into their skill sets. By inspiring and motivating their teams, fostering a sense of purpose, and encouraging innovative thinking, they create an environment conducive to high performance and continuous improvement.
Likewise, leaders recognize the significance of effective management practices. By implementing robust systems, efficient processes, and clear communication channels, they provide the necessary structure for their teams to thrive and execute the shared vision successfully.
Becoming a good manager – or leader – requires a certain level of drive, and a high level of strategic knowledge and skills that you can’t always find on the job. That’s why upskilling is incredibly valuable when it comes to utilizing.
The Chartered Management Institute (CMI), in particular, have over 60 years of experience in developing great leaders and managers of professional environments and pride themselves on business excellence – making their CMI Level 5 and Level 7 qualifications the ideal choice if you’re looking to elevate your leadership career.
Highly sought-after by employers, CMI qualifications will help you excel in mid to senior leadership roles, and even put you on the path towards becoming a Chartered Manager – an accolade that can only be awarded by the CMI.
Whether you’re a manager, a leader or both, it’s important to remember that you’re a person who people look up to in your organisation, and as such, it’s vital to understand the nuances between management and leadership, and how to combine the two to optimise both personal and professional success.
In the Middle East, both management and leadership are integral to the success of organisations. While management provides structure, efficiency, and operational effectiveness, leadership inspires and empowers individuals, fostering innovation, collaboration, and long-term growth.
By recognizing and cultivating the distinct qualities of both management and leadership, organisations can leverage the strengths of each to navigate the complexities of the region, foster innovation, and drive sustainable growth.
Develop your management and leadership skills with a CMI qualification and gain your Management status today.
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