Key Differences: Managers vs Leaders

Managers: Possess leadership qualities but may have limits based on employer policies/tasks. Open to discussing operational changes.
Leaders: Advocate for what they think is right based on experience/observations. Challenge the status quo, considering unique unit needs.

Example from our unit – Staffing budget decision
– Non-vent trained nurses assigned to a unit with night vent needs. Reduced overtime for vent-trained staff.
– Regular staff take on an extra workload managing vent patients when assigned to nurses without vent training, increasing their workload.
– Recent RN reductions replaced with RPNs led to increased staff workload and patient impacts.

Perspectives on Budget Decisions
Manager’s POV: Trying to manage the budget.
Leader’s POV: Impacts patient care outcomes, increases staff workload, lowers morale.

I believe there is a difference between managers and leaders.
You can be a manager who lacks leadership, but you can also be a leader without being a manager.
I think of leaders as person-centered who focus on developing relationships and motivating others whereas Managers are more task-orientated, who implementing processes, following policies etc.
Managers are driven by rules set out by organizations and leaders encourage new learning opportunities and mentor staff/coworkers etc. throughout their career.

ACOORDING TO MY LTC experience, I see the difference in leaders and manager.
Leaders have skills to support in situations .Emergency, sudden change in health status of patient,
teach and guide staff, co-workers, take charge according to situations. They have practical experience and knowledge. For example. RPN calls RN in situation which is not in scope of practice and others related.

Managers have to deal with office, budgets, many other things in facility according to policy, admissions and discharge, staffing, attendance, arranging education to reduce errors in patient care etc.
Some nurses works as manager soon after graduations, where clinical experience is not required.

I think there’s definitely a difference between managers and leaders. To me, a manager focuses more on the tasks—making sure schedules are done, rules are followed, and day-to-day work is on track. A leader focuses more on supporting the team, motivating, inspiring, and helping the team grow.
For example, a manager might tell staff what needs to be done and check that it gets completed. A leader would do that too, but they’d also step in to support the team, encourage them through challenges, and set an example by how they carry themselves.
I think the best people in these roles need a balance. Management skills are needed to keep things organized, but leadership qualities are what bring out the best in people.