Leadership is more than a title, it's a driving force behind successful management.
Leadership in management drives organizational success. 83% of enterprises recognize they need to develop leaders at all levels. Yet only 5% of businesses have started leadership development programmes. This creates a major gap in what organizations can achieve.
The data speaks volumes about its impact in shaping high-performing teams and resilient organizations. In this blog, we’ll explore what leadership in management truly means, the essential traits of effective leaders, and how leadership has evolved in today’s dynamic workplace. You’ll also discover practical ways to develop leadership skills, assess your potential, and leverage formal learning to advance your career in management.
"Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things." — Peter F. Drucker, Management consultant, educator, and author
Beyond traditional power structures, leadership in management stands out as a powerful force that shapes how organizations progress. Research shows 83% of businesses see the value in developing leaders across all levels, yet only 5% achieve this goal. This gap shows we need to better understand the key differences between leading and managing.
Conceptualizing and defining leadership and management has always been difficult
Leaders create positive, game-changing improvements through vision and strategic thinking. Managers focus on keeping systems and processes running smoothly. Leaders ask what and why, while managers tackle how and when.
True leadership comes from actions, not titles. It inspires others through behaviour and values rather than contractual duties. Management's strength lies in making processes better and ensuring teams complete tasks with available resources.
Organizations thrive when they have both strong leaders and capable managers. Leadership sparks creativity and innovation. Management keeps operations running efficiently.
Companies without good leaders often become too bureaucratic and afraid to try new things. On the other side, organizations with powerful leaders but weak managers can become chaotic and make changes without good reason. The most successful organizations strike a balance between both skills. Leaders set the vision, and managers bring it to life.
Good leadership shapes how organizations behave and perform. Leaders express purpose and direction that gives employees clear goals and lines up their actions with company objectives.
Employee engagement directly links to leadership quality—69% of employees report they would work harder if someone recognised their efforts. Leadership also creates a safe environment that promotes innovation and builds strong teams.
"The very essence of leadership is that you have to have vision. You can't blow an uncertain trumpet." — Theodore M. Hesburgh, President Emeritus of the University of Notre Dame
Leadership success in management depends on specific traits that set great leaders apart from good managers. Professionals who want to lead organizations through complex business situations must understand and develop these characteristics.
Great leaders have a clear and compelling vision that gives their organizations purpose and direction. The ability to review, assess and create strategies helps achieve long-term objectives. Leaders who think strategically put their bold vision into a framework with specific goals and action plans.
Emotional intelligence is the life-blood of good leadership that lets managers handle relationships wisely and with empathy. This skill includes four main parts: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management.
Leaders who show empathy build trust with their teams and this directly affects how engaged and productive employees become. Strong relationships matter because leaders can't unite teams or finish projects without them.
The ever-changing business world demands leaders to make strategic choices quickly even before they have all the information. They must balance competing needs and make tough choices when needed. Good decision-makers look at risks and opportunities while staying focused on company goals.
Adaptability stands out as the most crucial trait great leaders need. This quality combines flexibility with versatility knowing how to see the big picture and adjust to moving targets of success. Of course, adaptable leaders promote state-of-the-art ideas in their organizations by encouraging teams to explore new concepts and question existing methods.
Well-planned, structured development builds exceptional leadership in management capabilities. Strategic leadership development produces better organizational performance and personal growth than random approaches.
Leaders need to understand their current strengths and weaknesses. Self-assessment helps professionals understand their leadership style and growth areas better. Self-awareness creates a strong foundation for growth. Leaders can maximise their unique contributions and delegate tasks that don't match their core strengths.
A leadership development plan guides you toward achieving leadership goals. Good plans include clear, SMART objectives that match both organizational needs and personal goals. The best plans include different learning methods like mentoring, job rotations, professional courses, and certifications.
Great leaders know failure helps them grow. They create learning cultures where people take responsibility without fear of blame or punishment. Research with more than 20,000 executives identified six key skills: anticipation, challenge, interpretation, decision-making, arrangement, and learning.
Leadership in management makes the difference between thriving organizations and those that barely survive. Digital literacy and these core traits are the foundations of a modern leader's toolkit.
In today’s fast-changing business environment, strong leadership is not just valuable it’s essential. As organizations increasingly embrace digital transformation, the intersection of leadership and emerging technologies like AI is becoming more critical than ever.
If you're looking to elevate your leadership capabilities in this new era, the AI for leaders Leadership for the Future program by IIM Calcutta and TalentSprint is a compelling next step. Designed for senior professionals and decision-makers, this program helps you understand and apply AI strategically to lead more effectively in a data-driven world. The digital business leadership programme designed for business leaders, CXOs, and entrepreneurs aiming to harness AI and digital technologies strategically for long-term competitive advantage.
In today’s dynamic business world, leadership in management is essential to drive teams, innovation, and growth. To lead effectively in this evolving landscape, structured learning can make all the difference.
Q1. What is the difference between leadership and management?
Leadership focuses on creating positive change through vision and strategic thinking, while management concentrates on maintaining efficient systems and processes. Leaders inspire and set direction, whereas managers ensure task completion and resource utilization.
Q2. Why is emotional intelligence important for leaders?
Emotional intelligence enables leaders to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically. Leaders with high emotional intelligence are viewed as better performers, build trust with their teams, and directly influence employee engagement and productivity.
Q3. What is the leadership of management?
Leadership in management refers to guiding and influencing a team to achieve organizational goals. It involves vision, motivation, decision-making, and accountability.
Q4. What are the 4 types of leadership?
The four common types are autocratic, democratic, transformational, and laissez-faire. Each style varies in how decisions are made and how teams are led.
Q5. What is the definition of leadership?
Leadership is the ability to inspire, guide, and influence others toward a shared vision or goal. It involves communication, direction, and motivation.
Q6. Why is leadership important in management?
Leadership drives team performance, builds trust, and ensures effective execution of business strategies. It plays a crucial role in navigating change and fostering innovation.
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TalentSprint is a leading deep-tech education company. It partners with esteemed academic institutions and global corporations to offer advanced learning programs in deep-tech, management, and emerging technologies. Known for its high-impact programs co-created with think tanks and experts, TalentSprint blends academic expertise with practical industry experience.
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The demand for specialized leadership courses has grown significantly as professionals recognize the distinct skill set needed for leadership roles. In this article, we explore the evolution of leadership in today's world and how a focused course can equip you with the essential skills to succeed.
In today's fast-paced world, 21st-century leadership is all about how managers and leaders embrace a modern mindset to tackle the unique challenges we're facing. This approach isn't just about traditional leadership qualities—it's about developing new behaviors, skills, and qualities that require dedicated study and continuous training.
By honing these skills, leaders can adopt a leadership style that's not only relevant but essential for navigating today's complex environment. The truth is, 21st-century leadership is a whole new ball game, different from anything managers have encountered before. It's about being prepared for the challenges of today and leading with a forward-thinking approach that sets the stage for success.
The millennial leadership manifesto outlines some critical KRAs for emerging leaders, and they are:
• Lead the organization strategically during unprecedented times and successfully navigate through challenging situations.
• Build organizational resilience by inducing collaborations and nurturing people.
• Combine newer competencies with traditional and proven learnings.
• Operate within the new economic framework in the networked age.
The millennial leadership goals focus on transforming the whole leadership DNA from within. Organizations are currently pushed harder to dwell deep and discover approaches that help foster dynamic business leaders.
Building leadership skills involves continuous learning, self-awareness, and hands-on experience. Educate yourself on leadership through books and courses, and understand your strengths and values to lead authentically. Seek feedback from peers and mentors to improve. Enhance your communication by practicing active listening and clear articulation. Embrace challenges by stepping out of your comfort zone and taking on new responsibilities.
Apart from these, a very effective way to do this in a corporate setting is by really engaging potential leaders in diverse assignments. Another proven way is to encourage them to undergo an academic course. Interestingly, the leadership courses offered by TalentSprint in partnership with top B-schools in India. Such courses have been specifically tailored to train new-age leaders in the newer competencies required in challenging ambiguity.
Leadership courses focuses on five critical aspects of leading an organization, and these are:
Moreover, the evolving organizational leadership calls for a complete transformation of the leadership DNA. There is no place for redundancy as the market and the consumer is constantly changing. In line with the need of the hour, TalentSprint has collaborated with top universities and IIMs in India to design leadership courses that aim to establish a transformative platform for emerging leaders through an interactive pedagogy and its uniquely designed strategic communication workshop. The competitive advantage that one derives by enrolling in this course is unparalleled. A leader not only gets the opportunity to interact with world-class faculty but also gets this phenomenal opportunity to network across the industry verticals.
Leadership in the 21st century has evolved dramatically, driven by rapid technological advancements, globalization, and shifting workplace dynamics requiring a specialized skillset. Amidst the growing need for expertise skills, the leadership course have emerged as a proven pathway. Such courses are designed for working professionals, from aspiring managers to CXOs, these courses focus on strategic thinking and driving success. Whether you're a Digital CXO, business leader, technologist, or entrepreneur, you'll benefit from live sessions, campus visits, and expert guidance. Apply what you learn to real-world challenges and gain the confidence to lead in today's competitive landscape. Enroll today to take your career to the next level.
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Path to Effective Leadership: Essential Strategies for Success
Does a man or woman have the right to lead without earning it!? It can be gained by election or appointment, but does position, title, rank, or degrees qualify anyone to lead other people!? It doesn’t come automatically from age or experience, either. So, the right to lead and become an effective leader can only be earned, and that takes time and learning!
The list of problems we are facing in the 21st century is daunting. From climate change to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, humanity’s survival will depend on leadership that can chart a course through an uncertain and turbulent sea of constant change.
Today, more than at any time in our history, we need effective leadership. We need leaders who are capable of finding solutions to the astonishing number of problems we face and the vision to anticipate and lessen the future problems that await us.
Leadership is about guiding and influencing groups to achieve what they can't do alone. Surprisingly, some with formal titles fail at it, while others, without authority, inspire trust and energy through their actions.
Leadership isn’t something you’re born with; it’s a skill you develop. It’s all about the right mindset, behaviors, and getting results. Good leaders know their strategies must fit the situation and stage of their organization. The overall health of the organization is key to long-term success.
In business, those with strong leadership skills often rise to top roles like CEO or CIO. Think of tech leaders like Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, and Jeff Bezos—they’ve shown what great leadership can achieve.
But leadership isn't about fitting a mold. Today’s leaders come in all forms. What truly matters is their ability to spark enthusiasm, empower others, build confidence, and inspire those around them. It’s a big challenge, but let’s start by understanding what leadership really means.
Despite their diversity, exceptional leaders follow these daily practices.
Genuinely inspiring leaders remain islands of positivity and find the bright side of any issue in the face of challenges and failures. If you want to be truly inspirational, show others the silver lining.
Tyrants with brilliant vision can only command a reluctant following. They burn people out before they get to see what they are capable of. Focus on approachability, humility, and positivity.
Nothing drains a team's commitment more than when their efforts go unnoticed. Leaders who do not show appreciation for their employees risk putting their businesses at risk. Even small gestures of gratitude show people that they matter.
The greatest leaders have a vision so clear it seems as though it has already come to pass. Inspiring leaders know what their preferred future looks like and exactly how to get there. To truly inspire, know precisely what you are aiming to achieve.
Change is a constant in life, To be an effective leader, you should not only embrace change, and you should promote it.
Hearing is not the same as listening. Inspirational leaders truly listen to what is said to them and respond appropriately. Practice an open door policy to receive your team’s feedback and encourage them to contribute to the common goal. This imparts a shared sense of value because everyone participates and everyone is important.
There are many bosses out there leading companies but not enough leaders. The title of ‘boss’ only signifies power over others. To be called a leader, your must inspire your team through your actions and words to believe in a common vision.
The key to leadership success is to learn to effectively delegate both the responsibility for completing assignments and the authority required to get things done.
No matter how difficult the problem, there is always a quick solution, and leaders are happiest when they are devising solutions to problems. The next time you have a problem to solve in your organization, deal with the cause of the problem instead of simply treating the symptoms.
People are the most important asset of any organization. Without people, nothing is accomplished.
Employees need goals to strive for. Goals give employees direction and purpose. Set specific and measurable goals with your employees and regularly monitor their progress.
Too many bosses do not communicate enough. Leaders must make every effort to get employees the information they need to do their jobs quickly and efficiently. An atmosphere of open, candid communication lets you make effective decisions.
Above all, leadership is a people job. When an employee needs to talk with you, make sure to set aside the time to do so, put down your smartphone and focus on the person standing in front of you.
The key to leadership success is to learn to effectively delegate both the responsibility for completing assignments and the authority required to get things done. The need to control every little thing that employees do is a recipe for disaster. When you delegate work to employees, you multiply the amount of work you can accomplish while you develop your employees' confidence, leadership and work skills.
Every employee wants to do a good job. And when they do a good job, employees want recognition from their bosses. Recognize and reward employees for a job well done.
In addition to continually learning as a leader, encourage your subordinates to constantly upgrade their own skills and knowledge.
The one thing that I would say defines me is I love to learn. I get excited about new things. I buy more books than I read or finish.”
Satya Nadela - Microsoft CEO
Progress comes only through moving into uncharted territory and trying new things. Identify and reward your organization's risk-takers and innovators.
Nothing is created without the effort of several individuals working together. Leverage the diversity and talents within your organization by creating teams.
Without a doubt, running a company is a serious business. Products and services must be sold and delivered and money must be made. Despite the gravity of these responsibilities successful leaders make their organizations fun places to work. Instead of having employees who look for every possible reason to call in sick or to arrive late to work or go home early, organizations which work hard and play hard end up with a more loyal, energized workforce.
These principles form the basic foundation upon which a solid leadership structure can be constructed.
Explore Leadership Courses and Business Management courses from IIM's and Top Universities offered in collaboration with TalentSprint. Many potential C-suite leaders and managers require a different skill set to transition into their next role. Therefore, options such as a course can be a gateway to understanding digital and technological scenarios and their impact on businesses and market analysis to make well-informed decisions.
Leading and learning in the age of AI
Every business today has become a technology business. Technology is embedded in digitalizing processes across functions, in ensuring hybrid work options, in leveraging data for decision making, in reaching out to customers through digital channels, in enabling digital payment solutions and also in many cases, selling digitally. The onset of Generative AI has made this technology imperative even more urgent.
A study from Deloitte Digital emphasizes that 81% of leaders believe AI will significantly impact customer and employee experience in the coming years. However, there are uncertainties around privacy, misinformation, and bias.
In this digitally transformed and still transforming world, today's leaders face a myriad of complex decisions, many of which revolve around technology. These technology decisions encompass strategic planning, resource allocation, risk management, implementation, and deriving value from technology investments.
How do leaders build their skills to ace their dynamic roles?
It is useful to think of leadership skills in this new paradigm as a T shaped structure. If the head of the T represents the domain skills that CXOs imbibe over years of honing their expertise, the long tail of the T represents the technology skills that leaders need to master.
And herein lies the key conundrum in leadership learning today. While domain and functional skills are crafted over years of experience, technology knowledge is not an innate skill for many leaders. Accenture, in a report titled “Let there be change”, revealed that 65% of executives admit they lack the necessary technology expertise for a successful AI-led transformation. This gap underscores the critical need for continuous learning and adaptation among leaders to stay competitive and drive innovation within their organizations.
Which brings us to the next question. What should leaders prioritize in this learning journey and how can they choose the right learning paths?
Leaders need to choose programs that provide both individualized learning as well as the right mix of peer leaders to help augment their learning.
For emerging leaders who are stepping up to critical leadership roles, it is critical to start thinking and planning of technology initiatives that are outcome driven. As a part of that, user research and user centric design thinking are important to plan the right and targeted innovations that can drive outsized impact.
Keeping this goal in mind, we have designed our Advanced Certification Programme in Design thinking and Innovation Management for Leaders with Indian Institute of Management Lucknow to get a practical experience of thinking of technology innovations from first principles. Coupled with that, a specially curated Senior Management Program from Indian Institute of Management Udaipur helps them to align with the key outcomes and performance indicators they would be enabling in their expanded roles.
Leaders attending these programs get to meet other leaders at similar trajectories, combining the course learning with powerful peer learning as well.
Each sector today is at the cusp of a big leap with technology. If the Financial Services industry is today enabling digital lending, payment and savings opportunities, the Edtech sector is assessing how to enable the right student learning outcomes. The sectors are vast and varied and within that, there are specific audience group needs and possible technology led solutions for each of these.
To help emerging and existing leaders design the best-in-class technology solutions for their specific sectors, we have enabled our techno-functional learning modules.
Our Advanced Management Programme in FinTech and Financial Blockchain with Indian Institute of Management Calcutta is the first and longest running FinTech program in the country. It arms leaders with the latest information to craft leadership careers in the rapidly changing world of FinTech where leaders have to balance innovation with regulatory compliance.
"School leaders under-utilize data for decision-making: less than 20% of school leaders use data to make curriculum changes and only 25% use it to incentivize teachers." shares Global School Leaders Report. Our Education Leader's Programme from Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, is for Education leaders, teachers and entrepreneurs to navigate the world of Educational Technology and data to make the right data-driven decisions for their learning programs and schools.
Banking is undergoing a dramatic transformation. Statista reports that two third of transactions are expected to go digital by 2026. This would change the way people bank and leaders need to imbibe the mindset to enable such a digital shift across banking solutions. This first of its kind program from National Institute of Business Management, Advanced Programme in Digital Banking and Leadership provides just that practical knowledge and experience for participants.
Through these programs, leaders can learn and apply the technology learning needed specifically, for their individual sectors.
With the current tailwinds from technology, business models for many companies are getting disrupted. Leaders need to act fast to assess the ways in which they can transform their products, customer experience, target segments etc. For example, leaders who can discern valuable AI applications and implement them effectively stand to gain significant organizational efficiencies and drive future-proof innovations. At the same time, while enabling growth, leaders must ensure that robust cybersecurity measures are in place, as the cost of failure is too high.
Through our Advanced Programme in AI for Leaders with Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, we strive to provide senior leaders with that personalized learning experience which can enable them, in turn, to develop the right AI solutions for their companies. Similarly, the Advanced Programme in Digital Business Leadership with Indian Institute of Management Calcutta helps senior leaders to assess key digital transformation moments for their businesses.
In today’s world, leaders must first acknowledge their role as technology learning leaders. As technology continues to evolve, so too must the leadership strategies that harness its potential. Every leader, we believe, needs to be a technology leader in this dynamic paradigm. These Learning leaders will be those who prioritize continuous learning, for their teams, and more importantly, for themselves, specifically upskilling themselves on technology-led learning. Through this, they can emerge as the shapeshifters of the emerging leadership juggernaut in the age of AI.
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