Wharton Society of International Management

If we had to make a choice between working for a Manager and working for a Leader, we should, first of all, consider working environment. If the business is stable and the company needs mostly organizational administration, then a Manager can be the best type of the superior. Managers are perfect in organizing people for achieving organizational and personal goals.

Managers can direct the work of their subordinates according to the plans and strategies, which are already established by someone else. Managers are great in performing routine activities, as well as supervising and controlling the work of their organization. Finally, managers are usually the bosses, who prefer autocratic leadership style and like discipline at work. Certainly, this is very important for a successful organizational performance.

But in modern times, business (especially international business) usually develops in a complex, dynamic and rapidly changing environment, which requires making a lot of risky decisions and looking for new directions all the time. In such situation, I think, it would be preferable to work for a Leader. Unlike Managers, Leaders know how to set up goals, motivate the employees for achieving organizational goals and initiate changes.

Leaders can inspire their subordinates for personal improvement, support them, help them to find own place in the organizational structure and to break a deadlock. Finally, the subordinates become their followers, who trust and understand their Leader and are ready to do the right thing. Therefore, in the majority of the situations working for a Leader brings more job satisfaction, favors personal development and can be a good challenge for ambitious employees.