I have been fascinated over the years by the debate, research and discussion about leadership and management. Increasingly there seems to be a focus on the differences between leadership and management and it seems to me that this has developed in part because of deficits in one or the other.
Most of us would like to become, or to think of ourselves as, strong leaders. There is something appealing about the idea of creating and pursuing a vision and influencing others to support the necessary transitions. True enough, if it wasn't for good leadership, nothing would change or improve.
Leadership training helps you unlock your full potential and realise your ambitions in the business world. Leadership is firmly at the core of every successful organisation, and the effective management of people is a hugely valuable skill that's always in demand.
Open learning allows you to gain leadership training without the disruption of traditional study. With open learning you can study in your own time and at your own pace, moving through the training course at whatever rate suits you best. This means that you can easily fit your course around your current life commitments, whether you have family responsibilities, a full-time job or any other constraints on your time. You could even earn a prestigious business degree through open learning, and open up a whole new range of career opportunities for yourself!
However, not as many people seem to be as drawn toward being a good manager. Maybe I am misreading the "climate", but management is often associated with the mundane, the routine and a whole range of "left-brain" activity for which the kudos are few.
There appears to be a perception that one can be a leader or a manager, but not much acknowledgement that those skill sets can reside in the same individual. I believe this is an erroneous view.
My view of leadership and management is that they do require different skill sets, but must co-exist in order for any change to occur effectively. It is like a hand and a glove. Put together they make a great partnership.
