MANAGEMENT

As I stood in front of one-hundred testosterone filled teenage boys I realized quickly I had to have a plan.  There was no way I could just tell them to get to work and expect them to do the right thing.  Not because they were not capable, but they simply needed some direction.

These young men needed both a leader and a manager, but in the long run they needed a leader.  What is the difference?  Aren’t leaders managers and don’t managers function as leaders?

Yes and no and yes.

Now I’m sure I’ve confused you.

Leading or Managing

In general leaders focus on the big picture while a manager focuses on systems, processes and controls.  Does a leader care about these, absolutely, but a leader has to see beyond the horizon and look at the team or organization as a whole.

One of my all-time favorite movies is Braveheart.  In this movie there must be multiple systems, processes, and controls to make the fantastic fight scenes occur as well as the complexity of the relationships.  The person who leads the charge in this area is the director.  The

director is managing the systems and processes to make certain everything is executed properly.

On the other hand, someone else examines all the detailed parts so they interact to form a logical, coherent story that entertains and informs the viewer.  That is the job of the producer.  This individual has a picture in his or her mind of what the movie should look like from beginning to end and functions as the leader.

Which Side Are You On?

Let me explain the difference a little more in detail by providing this simple grid I use when I do some of my leadership trainings based on the teachings of leadership expert John C. Maxwell.

As you look at this grid which side do you tend to fall on?  Allow me to clarify, both are necessary and at times overlap.  Do you spend more time on the details and getting everything perfect with tasks?  If so, you probably are managing more than leading.

Do you spend more time having conversations with individuals and groups to help build consensus, and get everybody on the same page continuing to move in the right direction?  If so, you are spending time leading.

Again, both of these are necessary, but if you are the leader of the team, group, or organization and you are in the details too much then I hate to say it, but you are probably micro-managing instead of leading and empowering your people.  If this is you, what is one thing you can let go of and where can you re-focus that energy?  On the other hand, if you look at the leadership grid, what is one way you can grow in the areas suggested above?  Remember, leadership is a process like many areas of our lives.  If you would like me to help you think into this then click here to schedule a no cost thirty-minute thinking partner session.  Lead well!

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