Manager vs Leader

3 years back –

I was in a meeting with my manager regarding my career. I had been doing some routine work for considerably long time and I requested for a move.

SPM: So, what is your future plan?
I: I want to do some technical work. I’m basically a techie guy. I have done Comp Science Engg. with the same intentions. … blah… blah…

S: You can’t code for whole of your life? Someday, you should become a manager. Don’t you think you have the required leadership qualities?

I: I believe I have required leadership qualities. I was this, I was that… blah… blah…But, I don’t have interest in management

S: Are management or leadership different?
I: Yes.

S: How?
I: A leader need not manage his team. He just needs to guide the team, help them, try to get the full potential of them …

S: A manager also does the same, isn’t he?
I: Management involves some extra stuff. They need to do estimates, keep track of budget, and many other things.

S: So, a leader doesn’t need to do all these things? If that person is responsible as the leader of a team for timely delivery of goods, he should be capable of estimating how much effort it requires.

The topic continued for more than a hour, but I was not able to convince him or give a distinct difference between a Manager and a Leader. Ofcourse, he succeeded in convincing me to continue the mundane tasks (He is a Manager ).

After nearly 3 years in the new role, dealing with SOWs, Invoices, Confirmations, Score cards, Quality metrics, Milestone reports – I still believe a Leader need not be a Manager

Why do sports teams have separate captains and managers? Can’t a captain, as a leader, manage his teammates. No, because management involves other activities like taking care of accommodation, visas, travel, media, etc.

What do you think?