A well-known quote from Warren G. Bennis states that “Managers do things right. Leaders do the right thing.”

One of the things it makes visible is how both management and leadership contribute to an organization’s well-being.

Managers serve their role by making sure that things don’t change. That they work out as they were planned. They contribute to building trust in leaders and the organization as it is performing where it needs to be.

Leaders on the other hand pay attention to the change an organization must go through to secure or establish its position in the market. They’ve learned from the work that has been done until now as well as from the evolution of the given circumstances. They decide on the change that is needed and develop it in such a way, that they are being followed.

The point is, to know when which role is needed.

One is responsible for change, the other is responsible for performance.