Leadership. Management. Don’t get confused- they are different and every enterprise needs both. And, rarely are they found in the same person at the same time. It comes down to the raison d’etre for each organization. Vision, Mission, and Goals. Leaders set the vision and develop the strategy for the team. Vision is why the enterprise exists in the first place; strategy is how the enterprise plans to execute to achieve that vision, given the reality of the market, competition, regulation, and trends. Managers direct people to obey; leaders motivate people to achieve more than they thought possible.
Vision is the long term objective of the firm. What it will be, what it will leave to the world. The mission is how that vision will be manifested in the short term- say the next two to five years or so. Goals are the specific items that must be accomplished to insure the mission is achieved. Leaders are primarily concerned with the vision and mission. Managers are concerned primarily with achieving the mission by directing people to accomplish those goals.
And, that brings up the next issue. Leaders and managers may not be the best performers- but it is their job to bring out the best performance for their team. And, the team IS comprised of individuals. (That BS that there is no “I” in team is only correct in spelling.) Individuals who can be ordinary or stellar. But the leader must inspire them to do more. The manager must harness their capabilities and hone their efforts to achieve the goals.
Leadership uses inspiration to lead good players to do great things. And, they need individuals buying into their dreams and strategies. With managers who help them convert their efforts into goals. Who provide the logistics support to insure the leaders strategies can be effected.
It’s easier to see this when looking at sports teams. Look at this year’s University of Michigan Basketball team. This year, they managed to do something that they have not been able to get done for 25 years. They won the Big 10 title. Three of the players were seniors (two of whom are regulars). Four juniors (occasionally play). Five sophomores (three are fairly regular). Four freshmen (one regular). All led by Coach John Beilein, who has been the coach at Michigan for almost 5 years now.
Are they the best team in basketball? Not yet. (Note: My son is the basketball manager.) But, they did accomplish the dream- a seemingly impossible dream just six months ago- what Coach Beilein told them they can do. These individual players with different talents, all managed to play together as a team most of the time. And, achieved a goal that was their mission statement this year. (By the way, none of these players are considered among the best basketball players [yet].)
Or, consider the UVA Basketball team under Terry Holland in 1981. With three great college players- Ralph Sampson, Jeff Jones, and Jeff Lamp. While all produced stellar results, they never made it big in the NBA. But, they certainly achieved under Terry Holland.
With that leadership onus, it is critical to remember that leaders can make mistakes. But, to keep inspiring people, they have to admit it when they do.
Go forth and create.
Ah, such is the problem w/ the Gov’t (and a lot of businesses)–too many managers and not enough leaders! I’ve come across very few people who were willing to admit that they made a mistake–they’d rather shift the blame onto someone else. I’ve had to look at other sources for inspiration–and as usual, your blog is on of them!
Kudos,
jen
Jenny:
I’m blushing! Thanks so much for your kind comments. I am so glad that I can help you become- and remain inspired. I hope it makes each day grand for you.
Roy
The challenge, I believe, is that we all want to be important and leaders are seen to be important.
I think that the real difference is that managers make sure that people have the tools to get the job done and leaders make sure that they have the will. And amazingly, will gets around the lack of resources so often but all the resources in the world, does not get the job done when will is lacking.
Roberta recently posted..Meaningful measurements for Business
Your second paragraph is right on, Roberta.
And, regarding your first sentence…
Antonio Perez, Jack Welch, Jeff Imelt, Sam Palmisano, Ginny Rommetty, Lou Gerstner…
Do you know who they are? The first is the one prevailing over the demise of Kodak, the next two are GE execs (what a difference that is), and the next three are IBM execs.. How important were all of them? Some were, one or two may be…
Roy
As lovely and informative as always! I like how you make the difference here. But what about leaders being managers and managers being leaders. Is there a heavy over lapping of roles (unconsciously or consciously?)
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Not sure many leaders of organizations or large teams could manage that team. Their focus is completely different, Hajra. They also may not have the time to oversee the activities (which is why many organizations have COO and CEO positions).
Roy
You made a very clear distinction between leader and manager. I think it is possible for a manager to also be a leader, don’t you? You said rarely does it happen in the same person at the same time but I have to believe that there are managers out there who have vision and inspire their team.
I like the basketball examples that you cited ~ Good for your son for being basketball manager at Michigan. I bet you are one of their biggest fans.
Janette Fuller recently posted..Book Review: Total Abandon; The Powerful True Story of Life Lived in Radical Devotion to God
I think a person who is a manager can be a great leader, Janette. However, a manager is confined by his/her position to some degree. They can lead a team- and should strive to do so, if their effort requires creativity. But, a great floor manager, one who manages 50 folks working a production line, can’t truly lead his team to make new things. He/she should strive to have them be more accurate (which means one needs to have the ability to take folks off line for training), have a great attitude (which means one needs permission to change work conditions), etc…
Yea Go Blue!! I didn’t know they did that Roy – that is awesome. And I especially love the message you share here —- “Leadership uses inspiration to lead”, that is an important factor to building confidence and achieve success. Appreciate you sharing this Roy.
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Glad you liked it, Lynn.
And, regarding this basketball team, they’ve had a heck of a ride this year. Considering where they were just 3 or 4 years ago…
I agree with you. This is what the world needs, a lot of leaders. There are a lot of wasted potential in everyone that could have been unleashed with the help of a good leader.
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That is a key point, Amanda! So glad you added that important aspect to this discussion.
Thanks!
Roy
Leadership Management across the board, however, a good manager is definitely a leader, which means that Good Management encapsulates Leadership. Do you agree?
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I’m not sure, PM, that a good manager is definitely a leader. It may be due to the constraints of the position, but managers must insure that order and regulations (not in the strictest sense, but in the overall view) are followed- because consistency is their bailiwick. (Hence, the term ‘manage’).
Roy
Love it Roy. This is something I am very passionate about. When good leaders admit they have made mistakes, it can make them seem more ‘human’ which is a good thing.
Janine Ripper recently posted..Falling off the wagon
Absolutely, Janine!
Too many folks feel that they can never show their feet of clay (and, for some, that extends all the way through the torso….)
Hi Roy,
Where have you been all my working years. In my most recent job, the “leader” of our team was not a leader who tried to motivate us to achieve more. As a matter of fact, he made sure we looked bad in front of our coworkers, bringing us to a point of confusion and embarrassment.
It was great “meeting your son” too.
Thanks for reminding me what managers and leaders are supposed to do.
Cindy
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Glad you liked the post, Cindy.
But, I’m sorry you never had the chance to work with a great leader or manager. They make the trip exhilarating.
To some degree, there is no difference between a great sports coach, a person running for higher office, the leader of a new venture, or one about to change the direction of their organization. (The skills necessary may be vastly different, though.) They all garner the team’s effort to reach that just slightly (or vastly) unattainable goal…
Roy
How we define performance and success in each unique setting can impact the culture and the experience of that group. Someone may be a strong leader but a low point scorer in a team sport situation. Someone else may be a superstar athlete but have no idea how to work as a part of a greater whole. Making conscious choices via mission and vision statements helps everyone be clear about goals and desired outcomes which leads to synergy and teamwork. Congrats to your son for being part of a journey growing his team toward their chosen success factors.
Tambre Leighn/coaching by tambre recently posted..It’s A Dr. Seuss Day!
Thanks for the elucidation, Tambre!
You are right on- which is why I said that managers and leaders are rarely found in the same person at the same time. Sometimes it’s a skill, other times it’s the position, and yet others are just our own personal mental position.
Roy