Leaders Versus Managers: The Case of Captain Vere

Abstract

The current debate over the differences between managers and leaders has been extremely helpful in identifying the nature as well as the underlying philosophies of both styles of organizational governance. In this article, the author employs Herman Melville's novella, Billy Budd, as a leadership case study and analyzes the approaches the book's key character, Captain Edward Vere, uses to solve a critical organizational problem. This analysis reviews Vere's various managerial and leadership styles, management of time, decision making, and conflict resolution approach. Clemens finds that, for the most part, Vere exhibits managerial rather than leadership traits.