When Management in not enough
Article by John Cleary
Management is easy. The power of the position says you direct and others do. It’s a tried and trusted formula which, like so many of its kind, at best works short term. The long term implications are frightening. If you want to be an effective Manager, become a better leader!
Good intention is not enough. Positive action is essential. Reading another article or developing another ‘to do’ list can just be distractions if, under the pressure of time, you revert to old directive habits.
Answers on how to become a better manager are all around you but the solution lies within. Focus on the transition from management to leadership. Understand the difference between the two and improve your leadership skills.
The first step is to better understand you. Profiling resources such as Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) Help you truly appreciate your leadership style and how to develop your strengths and minimise your weaknesses.
Consider a Manager who continues to do tasks that other team mermbers can do as well yet who also struggles with a lack of time - what behaviour is being modelled? In contrast, reflect on the modeling of effective delegation, influence and problem solving skills.
It takes courage to admit your weaknesses and develop your strengths. It is a tough challenge when the change project is you. It is tougher still if your emotional intellignece needs to be developed in order to understand how to tap into the true capabilities of your team. Dee Hock, CEO of Visa International, believes around 50% of our energy and focus needs to be devoted to positively influencing those around us.
The following distinction between managers and leaders was developed by participants in my leadership workshops.
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Managers |
Leaders |
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n Exert Power
n Direct and Demand
n Focus on the present
n Task Oriented
n Habitual
n Policies & Procedures
n Self – It’s Up To Me!
n Extensive Knowledge |
n Influence and Inspire
n Empathise and Engage
n Systems Thinkers
n Values Based
n Adaptive Style
n Objectives and Outcomes
n Develop shared vision
n Use wisdom to leverage knowledge |
Clarify the difference in your own mind and plan how you will model your style of leadership to deliver a clear message to your staff that leadership thrives with willing followers.
In “Why Should Anyone Be Led By You”, ‘tough empathy’ is defined as giving people what they need, not what they want. Apply tough empathy to yourself. Resolve to build a better you by providing greater opportunity for your staff to engage, innovate and be their best under your leadership.
Good leadership brings significant rewards in all facets of your life. It provides a welcome gift of time as you harness the collective skills within the team. Leaders also achieve better results, a greater sense of belonging and increased personal satisfaction.
German Physicist Georg Lichtenberg said "I cannot say whether things will get better if we change; what I can say is they must change if they are to get better."
Management is seldom enough when a manager fails to model the values of leadership!
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