(Dis)connecting leading, managing and other confused issues
by Miki SaxonTake the following quiz, read my answers and then let’s discuss them.
- Leaders aren’t always good managers. T F
- Talented managers are not necessarily leaders. T F
- Possessing leadership skills makes one a leader. T F
- Initiative and leadership skills are often confused. T F
- The best way to succeed in business and/or life is to be a leader. T F
Here are my answers, along with why I think that way. Keep in mind that these are my opinions, based on my life experiences and my MAP (mindset, attitude, philosophy)TM
- Leaders aren’t always good managers. TRUE
Leaders are visionaries who inspire others to take action to achieve the goals of that vision. I’ve seen no proof that the ability to inspire action equates to skill at directing people’s efforts to achieve those goals in the most efficient/best ways possible. You see this frequently in the startup world where visionary founders give way to “professional” managers. It’s the reason that so many successful entrepreneurs do multiple startups, they do the visionary part they enjoy and then step aside. There are very few founder-CEOs, such as Larry Ellison, who run large companies, some leave because it’s no longer fun, but many are removed because they can’t manage. Sure, this can change over time as they grow and mature, but there is no guarantee. - Talented managers are not necessarily leaders. TRUE
In the course of my career I’ve known hundreds of good-to-brilliant mangers who not only aren’t leaders, but don’t want to be. They revel in knowing their people, understanding how to motivate each one and helping each of them to reach their full potential, all while moving them forward as a team focused on achieving the company’s goals, but they can’t envision those goals. - Possessing leadership skills makes one a leader. FALSE
There are many people who possess perfect pitch, but that doesn’t make them musicians. Vision, desire, drive and ambition are also needed. - Initiative and leadership skills are often confused. TRUE
Circumstances often force people to take the initiative to go from point A to point B; even without circumstances people often see a need and fill it, but that doesn’t mean that they would do it the next time. However, in the aftermath, they are deemed leaders, often forcing them into a role that’s uncomfortable and undesired. - The best way to succeed in business and/or life is to be a leader. FALSE
The best way to succeed is to identify the things you do well and that make you, by your own definition, happy. Embracing external definitions of success that don’t really match your MAP, or forcing yourself into a role that everyone except you thinks is right not only leads to unhappiness, but to broken health and wrecked relationships.
OK, you have the short version of my reasoning—short because I don’t want to pontificate, I want to discuss/debate/argue this with you. So weigh in here and let’s get a dialog going amongst us all. What do you think?
September 12th, 2007 at 1:42 pm
These are great points. I find that I am competent at directing people, but I’m not always that creative or visionary. And I’m not very inspiring. But sometimes people call me a leader, when really, I’m a manager. I think that understanding the difference is important. It helps you find things that you are best suited for.
September 12th, 2007 at 2:43 pm
I agree. Many people miss the differences between leader and manager. While both contribute to the success of an organization, personal success is just that – personal.
To be truly successful/happy/fulfilled, you have to go with what works for you.
September 13th, 2007 at 1:57 pm
I think that the entire debate about what is a leader and what is a manager and who is what and which is better and when is one of the greatest single distractions there is. Everyone who is responsible for the performance of a group does leadership work and management work and supervision work. They’re all part of the job. They’re not what you ARE, they are what you DO.
September 13th, 2007 at 6:00 pm
Wally, It may be distracting, but it isn’t going away any more than celebrity watching, which is also distracting. We live in a world of labels and people love to discuss and debate the meaning behind them. You offer your own definitions, comments and discussion on your site adding to the (hopefully) useful information available. I don’t believe that any one of us trainers/coaches/pundits/academics/experts/been there-done that folks know everything, let alone agree on it. Yes, they are what you do, but IMO they are also WHO you are, since all these actions stem from your MAP (mindset, attitude, philosophy)™.
September 14th, 2007 at 7:07 am
1. Leaders aren’t always good managers. True, but a leaders who is also a good manager is exceptional leaders.
2. Talented managers are not necessarily leaders. True, but again, talented managers who are also leaders are exceptional managers.
3. Possessing leadership skills makes one a leader. False. Possessing leadership skills, though, may help you when and if you do become a leader.
4. Initiative and leadership skills are often confused. True. But be aware that leaders usually demonstrate their leadership by taking initiative.
5. The best way to succeed in business and/or life is to be a leader. False. Everyone has a different take on life. Let each be happy doing what they want to do or being what they want to be.
I especially agree with Miki in the manager-leader contrast, as I’ve always said those terms are very frequently confused.