Management and Leadership: Are They Synonymous?
             Although good management is needed to help organizations meet current commitments, good leadership is also needed to move the organization into the future. "Most U.S. corporations today are over managed and under led." (Kotter103) Is there really a difference between being a manager and being a leader? If so, what are the differences and similarities? In order to see the big picture we must evaluate both styles and come to a conclusion.
             It has been said that there are several petals on the ever-growing stem of leadership. If all of the petal components are used wisely, a beautiful flower is created. Each petal is considered a form of leadership mastery, which if correctly utilized will form a beautiful flower and allow these qualities to blossom.
             Personal mastery is the first petal in the flower and deals with the inner voice. Listening to it, trusting it, and acting on it will allow a person to "be" their destiny. Whenever that "butterfly" feeling forms in the stomach, it's the inner voice trying to say something. I stressful times, it becomes critical to stop, count to ten and just relax. Think before action is taken. Do not second-guess yourself because generally the initial instinct is correct.
             The second petal is purpose mastery, which is an expression of the word "why". The power of "why" can lead to a path of purpose and give the right direction. For decades parents, teachers and guidance counselors have asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up"? What if these same people asked "how" are you going to be when you grow-up? Those individuals would have the privilege of knowing the internal process of purpose, which is viewing their self-expression and creating their own values.
             The third petal is change mastery, which is the ability to adapt to change. It sometimes seems that al...