What aspect is crucial in differentiating leadership from management?

The aspect that distinguishes leadership from management is the ability to influence rather than simply direct. Leadership primarily revolves around inspiring and motivating others to achieve a shared vision or goal. Influencing implies working collaboratively with team members, fostering an environment where individuals feel empowered to contribute their ideas and skills. This interpersonal connection and the ability to bring about change through inspiration are what set leaders apart from managers, who often focus more on maintaining order and managing tasks.

While maintaining control, focusing on processes, and relying on rules may be important in a managerial context, leadership is fundamentally about creating a vision and rallying people around it, making the art of influencing a key differentiator in understanding the roles and responsibilities associated with leadership.