Are You Managing to Lead?Learn Management Articles on management-info.biz. Are You Managing to Lead? article will help answer your questions on Management Articles.We at management-info.biz specialize in Management Articles. Management Articles at management-info.biz provides the most up to date news and articles. If you have questions please do not hesitate to contact us.
By Monty J. Sharp, Certified Comprehensive Coach http://www.workteamcoaching.com For many people, the terms “manager” and “leader” are synonymous. In the business world, they are often used interchangeably, i.e. “team leader”, “team manager”, “project manager” - you get the idea. And why not? After all, leaders and managers do basically the same thing, right? In some instances, there do seem to be commonalities between the two and management techniques are sometimes confused with leadership traits. However, there are, I believe, some key distinctions to be made that radically separate the two. Here then, are what I consider to be some key differences between a leader and a manager: 1. A manager administers. A leader innovates. Managers take policies and procedures and ensure that they are carried out. Leaders are constantly challenging the “status quo” to achieve bigger and better things. 2. A manager maintains. A leader develops. As long as things are running smoothly, the manager is typically happy. The leader is never satisfied with the “status quo” or “the way we’ve always done it”. Leaders are constantly asking for more and bigger things – of themselves as well as those they lead. 3. Managers rely on control. Leaders inspire trust. Managers can feel threatened by subordinates who don’t seem to be “towing the line”. In doing so, they create a co-dependency in the subordinates who, in turn, rely on the manager to dictate nearly every step of the process. Leaders know how to tap into the inherent strengths of those they lead and then foster those strengths to the benefit of the organization. 4. A manager has his eye only on the “bottom line”. A leader has his eye on the horizon as well. In orienteering (using a map and compass) you must set your sights on a distant object to get an accurate bearing. If you take only short-range sightings, it is much more likely you will stray far off the right course. In the same way, “bottom lining” only without also “visioning” can result in ending up at a destination you did not plan on. 5. The manager imitates. The leader originates. While using “tried and true” methods isn’t always a bad thing, someone else’s methods may not be exactly right for every organization. Leaders aren’t afraid to try new, and even unorthodox, methods to achieve optimum results. 6. Managers focus on product. Leaders focus on process. While still holding to the principles of quality, productivity and efficiency, the leader is able to recognize the effort as well as the “end-product”. 7. Managers need lots of positive feedback. Leaders have an innate sense of their own self-worth. Everyone likes a “pat on the back” for a job well done. However, managers rely heavily on things like “performance reviews”, “appraisals” and “kudos” from their supervisors and their subordinates to demonstrate a job well done. They also tend to rely heavily on those tools as motivators for their subordinates. 8. Managers need subordinates. Leaders strive to develop other leaders. Leaders are always in the process of developing other leaders. Managers tend to feel very threatened when they perceive someone may be “passing them up”. 9. Managers tell “what”. Leaders share “why”. The manager is primarily concerned with simply giving the steps to achieve the desired result. The leader also takes the time to explain why those steps are crucial to the desired result. In doing so, the leader is also imparting his “vision” to those that help make that vision a reality. 10. Managers are more concerned with doing things right. Leaders are more concerned with doing the right thing. Managers tend to be very “order” and “structure” oriented. Leaders have a keen sense of the “spirit of the law” and aren’t afraid to “bend” the rules if it will achieve a greater good for everyone. Copyright © 2002, Monty J. Sharp ********** Vision to Venture, LLC is an executive coaching company dedicated to providing an interpersonal approach to high performance Executives, managers and work teams. Our highly effective and balanced approach to leadership development, teambuilding and action learning get both business related as well as human results. Visit us at http://www.workteamcoaching.com
|
More Articles:1. Creativity and Innovation Directors, Consultants and Managers By Kal Bishop Creativity and Innovation is essential for competitive advantage, yet the role of Creativity and Innovation Manager is often not viewed as essential. Organizations without such a role will simply not perform as competitively as their rivals.People within and outside of an organization see problems all the time, but rarely are those problems dealt with in time. Tangible negative movements usually force change – shortcomings in expected growth, a fall in share price etc.Some of the requirements … 2. Improving electrical distribution reliability and cost ackground The company analyzed it's competitive position relative to the other large investor owned utilities in the US. It became clear to survive in a deregulated environment that significant change was needed in 3 key areas. Reduce operating and maintenance expenditures to be at or near the best companies in cost per kWh. Improve generating efficiencies and implement load control programs so that no new generating plants would be needed to meet forecasted demand through the end of the century… 3. Cultural Awareness - an HR Perspective By N. A. Johnson The use of cultural awareness training has increased rapidly in the majority of global companies over the last decade.My experience working in global companies in which effective cross-cultural functioning was critical, involved the devotion of considerable time and energies to ensuring that cultural training needs were identified and accommodated as necessary.This commitment to bridging cultural gaps represents a perceptible shift in attitudes amongst British company global thinking. This is … 4. Four Steps to Better Performance Reviews By Linda Henman Direct reports—people who need direction and leadership—rely on their leaders to give them feedback and mentoring, not just management and evaluations. However, these people who most need their boss’s help frequently lack the guidance that would enable them move to the next levels of success—theirs, their team’s and the company’s. Too often leaders are not prepared or trained to conduct an appraisal that stretches performance and ensures their direct reports’ development. Instead, the apprai… |
||||
