They're totally different words. I used to be an engineering manager with direct reports who wasn't really much a leader. Today I'm an engineering leader without any direct reports.

Leadership happens from the front and doesn't really have anything at all to do with year end reports and making sure everyone shows up on time. Management rarely does more than HR busywork. The way many engineering mangers work they often have skills so outdated as to be effectively non-technical.

Leadership can happen at all levels regardless of title. Leaders often are some of the most skilled technicians, able to have an outsized impact on both the team and the direction.

I think that's an artificial split. Management is not only about HR busywork, it should also include all the things you've mentioned in the leader category.

Is it an official title? I keep seeing it everywhere now, everyone is a "leader." What exactly does it mean? Do you proclaim yourself a leader, is there some vote on it?

From my perspective it's completely meaningless and usually ego stroking.