IT SEEMS AS THOUGH every few years terminology changes and new buzz words emerge. For example, what was personnel is now human resources.
Hearing people referred to as a team member or an associate is the norm, as opposed to subordinate or junior. Another word that is now heavily utilized is leadership, instead of management. This raises the question: is there a difference?
Contemporary management gurus state that there is a clear difference between leadership and management.
Leadership is the process by which an individual determines direction, influences a group and directs it toward a specific goal or organizational mission.
General Montgomery defined leadership as “the capacity and the will to rally men and women to a common purpose and the character which inspires confidence”.
The leader, because of his actions, inspires or influences people to perform. Leaders set the direction of their followers; they seek to transfer their vision, shape the culture and facilitate decisions.
Conversely, management exercises executive, administrative, and supervisory direction of a group or organization. The manager has the right to direct activity by virtue of the authority of the post.
Managers plan the work of their subordinates; they detail the objectives and make the decisions. While it is ideal for a manager to also be a leader, some managers do not lead, and some leaders are not managers.
Peter Drucker once stated: “Most of what we call management consists of making it difficult for people to get their work done.” Common thinking surmises that you manage things but lead people.
Leadership is essential within an organization, as there are people and teams that need to be directed and their potential harnessed for the business to be successful. Some may argue that leaders are born and not made, but it is an established fact that leadership skills can be learnt. Here are a few core skills of effective leaders that all persons in authority should seek to cultivate.
This is the ability to formulate ideas; to understand opportunities or the need for change; to create a mental picture of the future; and to articulate all of that clearly in words and images. A leader must know what the group is striving to achieve. You cannot influence people to share your vision if you are not clear on what it is.
This concerns being able to see what’s important, to understand the available choices, and to make sound, practical decisions. One of the tests of leadership is the ability to recognize a problem before it becomes an emergency. Additionally, a good leader will step out of the safe zone for a good idea. An organization that neither innovates nor takes risks is likely to fail in the long run.
An effective leader does not work alone. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses will help you delegate responsibility accordingly, hire people who complement you, and know what areas you need to work on to become a better leader. Furthermore, leaders should communicate with members of the team, as well as show team members how to work well with each other. All members should be encouraged to participate in the group. Motivate your employees to continue with a project, and then praise them as they do good work along the way.
This extends beyond possessing good writing skills, being able to communicate vision and strategy, and being able to infuse the organization with enthusiasm, dedication, and some of your own spirit and passion. The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority, says Kenneth Blanchard. But remember, a good communicator should not only speak clearly and with confidence, but must also be a good listener.
An effective leader understands not only knows how his or her group operates, but also how it operates in the context of the entire business. You should know what each department does and how it affects the organization as a whole. You should know the industry trends, major players, marketplace and other relevant information for the industry in which you work. How else can you craft an effective vision and engage in strategic thinking?
Becoming an effective leader takes practice. Work on your skills. Seek feedback so you can improve. Try new methods when something doesn’t work. The more you work on becoming an effective leader, the more likely you are to get there.
And finally, I leave you with this quote which aptly summarizes the difference between your role as a leader and manager: “Lead and inspire people. Don’t try to manage and manipulate people. Inventories can be managed but people must be led.”
