Leader vs. Manager
“Managers are people who do things right. Leaders are people who do the right thing.” –Warren Bennis
As I was searching the internet for a quote on leadership to, I came across this great promotional piece. I could write a dozen blog entries from this page…and probably will. There are some great points noted-including from the former CEO of my former company…Jack Welch with GE. I will get to that later.
But, for today I want to discuss the very first point. I love this! They refer to leadership being behavior first and skills second. I personally have known some very intelligent, experienced individuals who were geniuses in their trades-great managers…but not leaders. What they lacked was natural charisma. A true leader possesses the ability to persuade others to follow-without really having to work at it. Not necessarily based on facts but based on their natural personality. Leaders possess a natural persona leading to a contagious positive outlook on life. This naturally makes people want to trust, listen to and learn from them. They lead by integrity, confidence and empathy.
Some argue this can be learned…I disagree. I believe you are either born a leader or born a manager. I know managers who will always do a great job “managing.” But, they will never be a leader. Instead they hide behind their title…get things done via their title. They use the title in all their decision making.
Do you motivate your team based on facts or the authority you have been given? Or do you challenge your team, offer positive feedback and accentuate your belief in them? Do you forget the title and “praise loudly, blame softly?”
Management is not the same as leadership. Management is making sure I’s are dotted and t’s are crossed. Management demands respect solely by title and power. True leadership is imposing your authority in a way that subordinates feel a sense of ownership. They want to succeed-they don’t want to let you down. It is a natural power you possess-respect that is earned by reciprocal respect…much stronger than the type of power given to one…instead it is a responsibility developed unintentionally but genuinely.
Natural leaders don’t have to work hard to motivate. It is not forced and they don’t hide behind tasks. They are truly genuine when acknowledging people’s hard work, accomplishments or simply offering a few words of encouragement. Their mission is to grow their subordinates-when their people succeed…they succeed! They manage on an individual basis. They understand that true development of people is success…which leads to development of their product. People come first-second to meetings, reports, stats, SOP’s. They get it!!! If you lead your people, goals will be reached by these very people.
What kind of leader are you? Or are you a manager?
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Hmmm…good question. Personally, I strive to lead but not because I wish to be a manager but rather for much greater reasons. I always look at what I do on a daily basis as just a piece of God’s greater plan. If what I do can assist in that plan and if I shine on His behalf, everything else falls into place, everything else begins to make sense, and that’s the example I hope to set. It’s what I strive for. It doesn’t necessarily mean that I’m perfect all the time. God knows that literally and I often find myself praying to “do better” but at least I have a goal to strive for that which is leading by example. I’m not the greatest but I am working on it.
WOW! Probably too much but you started this!!