The Lion and the Bee

The Organizational Analysis Session started with RSG not in his usual jovial mood. The first session for the year 2012 was greeted with sermons and lectures of supposed conducts and manners that professionals should practice. Although I came in just about ten minutes late on the preceding class, I understand how RSG felt, knowing that I was with him when we waited for the others so we could formally mapping-up our plans.

It gave us an eye-opener, a lesson that we must have to learn….Nevertheless, the OA session ensued with good exchanges of ideas. One the first discussion, RSG asked us to reflect and manifest our personal opinions on the idea whether we can all be leaders and on the other hand, can we all be managers?

It was intriguing. And in my mind, it would seem to be an endless debate because at one point, on the aspect of status and position, all can be leaders, but not all can be managers. At this aspect, managers acquire their powers and authority after they have been duly appointed. The basic nature of managers is that they oversee and manage the entire operation of the organization. Their fundamental duties and responsibilities of managers are basically defined by the organization’s CBL.

Leaders on the other hand come with almost inborn characteristics. They are basically aggressive in nature compared to managers who act in a more intelligent and methodical manner. Managers’ actions are typically based on facts or prolonged studies. While leaders often times act on impulse.

Generally, it is really hard to tell, when it comes to traits and characteristics, which is better, managers or leaders….Chances are, effective leaders and managers must possess both characteristics.

Let’s say for example, the principal in our school must act as both as a leader and a manager. Although typically, principals are regarded as school managers, because the nature of their authority and power comes from the Central Office of DepEd, there has to be instances that they take the risk in rendering decisions that are perceived to deliver good and better results for the school.

I understand that school principals act and make decisions based on issued directives from higher ups, they must likewise take into considerations that some policies do not render effective in all instances. One of the reasons for its ineffectiveness I suppose is that these directives and policies are created by people in the higher-ups who do not actually know the real scenarios of the different schools. I guess, it’s one of the disadvantages of big organizations. One policy may be effective in one area but proved to be less effective in some…

It is on this regard that I conclude that none of the managers or leaders is better than the other because in the broadest sense, they should be both, at least in characteristics and traits….