Management vs. Leadership: Understanding the Differences
Are managers and leaders the same? Not quite. Discover what sets them apart — how managers drive structure while leaders inspire vision — and why mastering both is the key to lasting success.

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- Bailey, J. (2022, Sept. 22). The Best Managers Are Leaders — and Vice Versa. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved May 8, 2025.
- Kotter, J. P. (1990). A Force for Change: How Leadership Differs from Management. Free Press. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
- Riggio, R. (2012, Feb. 2). Why Steve Jobs Is a Leadership Nightmare. Psychology Today. Retrieved May 8, 2025.
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- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025, April, 18). Management Occupations. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved May 8, 2025.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025, April, 18). Training and Development Managers. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved May 8, 2025.
Approved and verified accurate by the Assistant Professor of Management of the Colangelo College of Business on June 27, 2025.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.