Administrate vs. Manage — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 27, 2024
Administrate typically implies overseeing systems or policies with a focus on effective execution, while manage encompasses direct handling and decision-making in various scenarios.
Difference Between Administrate and Manage
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Administrate often refers to the process of implementing and monitoring policies within an organization, ensuring that systems operate smoothly. Whereas manage involves taking direct control over tasks, projects, or teams, often requiring hands-on involvement and problem-solving.
Administrate is generally associated with a higher-level, sometimes bureaucratic role, focusing more on adherence to established procedures and guidelines. On the other hand, managing is more dynamic, involving leadership, strategic planning, and interpersonal interactions.
While administrate can sometimes be more about maintaining and ensuring compliance with existing frameworks, manage often entails creating and adjusting those frameworks to achieve specific goals.
Administrators are typically seen as part of the institutional structure, primarily tasked with enforcing rules and regulations. Conversely, managers are often perceived as leaders or motivators, tasked with steering the team towards success. In the context of responsibilities, administrate is less about innovation and more about maintenance, while manage is heavily tied to performance outcomes and team dynamics.
Comparison Chart
Focus
Systems and policies
Tasks, projects, and teams
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Role Nature
Often bureaucratic
Dynamic, involves leadership
Key Responsibilities
Ensuring operations follow rules
Directing and optimizing operations
Skills Required
Systematic, compliance-oriented
Creative, strategic, interpersonal
Outcome Orientation
Maintenance of status quo
Achievement of specific goals
Compare with Definitions
Administrate
To carry out executive functions in an organization.
Her role to administrate the clinic involves a lot of paperwork.
Manage
To make and keep compliant with managerial decisions.
He manages several retail stores across the region.
Administrate
To handle the operation of functions or systems.
They hired someone to administrate the complex network infrastructure.
Manage
To succeed in accomplishing, achieving, or producing, with skill and control.
Despite the challenges, he managed to increase the company’s revenue.
Administrate
To oversee procedures and ensure compliance.
As a dean, he administrates academic policies at the university.
Manage
Be in charge of (a business, organization, or undertaking); run
Their elder son managed the farm
Administrate
To govern or oversee the implementation of policies.
She was tasked to administrate the new educational guidelines across the district.
Manage
Succeed in surviving or in achieving something despite difficult circumstances; cope
Catherine managed on five hours' sleep a night
Administrate
To manage affairs by organizing and supervising.
He administrates the IT systems to ensure all data is secure.
Manage
To have charge of; direct or administer
Manage a company.
Manage a portfolio of assets.
Administrate
Less common term for administer (sense 1)
The cost of administrating VAT
The person administrating the database system has left the company
Manage
To exert control over; regulate or limit toward a desired end
Manage the news to minimize political repercussions.
Managed smokestack emissions.
Administrate
To administer.
Manage
To direct or supervise (employees or other staff)
She manages 20 people in the department.
Administrate
To administer
Manage
To act as the manager of (a performer, for example).
Administrate
(computing) the act or function of providing maintenance and general housekeeping for computer systems, networks, peripheral equipment, etc.
The job is to administrate the network.
Manage
To succeed in accomplishing, achieving, or producing, especially with difficulty
Managed to get a promotion.
Managed a polite goodbye.
Administrate
To administer.
Manage
To succeed in coping or dealing with
A drug that improves patients' ability to manage their disease.
Administrate
Work in an administrative capacity; supervise;
Administer a program
Manage
To direct or conduct business affairs.
Manage
To continue to get along; carry on; cope
Learning how to manage on my own.
Manage
(transitive) To direct or be in charge of.
Manage
(transitive) To handle or control (a situation, job).
Manage
(transitive) To handle with skill, wield (a tool, weapon etc.).
Manage
(intransitive) To succeed at an attempt in spite of difficulty.
He managed to climb the tower.
Manage
(ambitransitive) To achieve (something) without fuss, or without outside help.
It's a tough job, but I'll manage.
Manage
To manage to say; to say while fighting back embarrassment, laughter, etc.
"That's nice, dear!", she managed.
Manage
To train (a horse) in the manège; to exercise in graceful or artful action.
Manage
(obsolete) To treat with care; to husband.
Manage
(obsolete) To bring about; to contrive.
Manage
The act of managing or controlling something.
Manage
(horseriding) Manège.
Manage
The handling or government of anything, but esp. of a horse; management; administration. See Manege.
Young men, in the conduct and manage of actions, embrace more than they can hold.
Down, down I come; like glistering PhaëthonWanting the manage of unruly jades.
The unlucky manage of this fatal brawl.
Manage
To have under control and direction; to conduct; to guide; to administer; to treat; to handle.
Long tubes are cumbersome, and scarce to be easily managed.
What wars Imanage, and what wreaths I gain.
Manage
To guide by careful or delicate treatment; to wield with address; to make subservient by artful conduct; to bring around cunningly to one's plans.
It was so much his interest to manage his Protestant subjects.
It was not her humor to manage those over whom she had gained an ascendant.
Manage
To train in the manege, as a horse; to exercise in graceful or artful action.
Manage
To treat with care; to husband.
Manage
To bring about; to contrive.
Manage
To direct affairs; to carry on business or affairs; to administer.
Leave them to manage for thee.
Manage
Be successful; achieve a goal;
She succeeded in persuading us all
I managed to carry the box upstairs
She pulled it off, even though we never thought her capable of it
The pianist negociated the difficult runs
Manage
Be in charge of, act on, or dispose of;
I can deal with this crew of workers
This blender can't handle nuts
She managed her parents' affairs after they got too old
Manage
Come to terms or deal successfully with;
We got by on just a gallon of gas
They made do on half a loaf of bread every day
Manage
Watch and direct;
Who is overseeing this project?
Manage
Achieve something by means of trickery or devious methods
Manage
Carry on or manage;
We could do with a little more help around here
Manage
To handle or direct with a degree of skill.
She manages the team efficiently, ensuring all projects are on schedule.
Manage
To take charge of and exercise control over.
Managing such a diverse workforce requires good interpersonal skills.
Manage
To oversee the administration of a business, organization, etc.
She manages day-to-day operations at the software company.
Common Curiosities
What skills are most important for a manager?
Important skills for a manager include leadership, problem-solving, strategic thinking, and interpersonal communication.
How does managing differ from administrating in terms of decision-making?
Managing often involves making strategic decisions and problem-solving, whereas administrating focuses more on enforcing decisions made by others.
Can a manager also be an administrator?
Yes, a manager can also perform administrative duties, depending on their role and responsibilities within an organization.
How do managers impact employee performance?
Managers directly influence employee performance through motivation, guidance, and feedback, impacting overall productivity and success.
Can administrating involve financial responsibilities?
Yes, administrating can involve overseeing financial aspects like budgets and funding, depending on the specific role.
What does it mean to administrate in a corporate setting?
In a corporate setting, to administrate means to oversee and ensure the adherence to company policies and procedures.
Is administrating more about policy than people?
Yes, administrating typically focuses more on policy, systems, and procedures, rather than direct people management.
What is the primary goal of administration?
The primary goal of administration is to ensure that an organization operates within the framework of its established policies and procedures.
Who typically has higher authority, an administrator or a manager?
This can vary by organization, but often managers have more direct control and influence over team and business outcomes.
What about management tasks in a business context?
Management tasks may involve setting goals, developing strategies, making decisions, supervising employees, and evaluating performance.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
