2.1 Critically compare the skills required to be an effective manager and effective leader

Qualification: Level 4 Certificate in Principles of Leadership and Management for Adult Care (RQF)
Unit: Unit 1: Leadership and Management in Adult Care
Learning outcome: 2 Understand the skills needed as a leader and as a manager in adult care settings and why managers in social care need both skill sets
Assessment criteria: 2.1 Critically compare the skills required to be an effective manager and effective leader

• Skills required to be a leader include:
  • The ability to inspire others
  • Innovation
  • Being open to change
  • Looking at the ‘big picture’
  • Creativity
• Skills required to be a manager include:
  • Planning
  • Organisation
  • Attention to detail
  • Problem-solving
  • Technical knowledge
• There is also a crossover of skills between the two roles:
  • Effective communication – both managers and leaders must be able to communicate effectively, however a manger’s communication may focus on clarity, whilst a leader’s communication may focus on inspiration
  • Decision-making – both managers and leaders are responsible for making decisions, however, a manager’s focus will often be on the present situation whilst a leader will usually look at the big picture
  • Responsibility and accountable – both leaders and managers should be responsible for their actions and decisions