As leaders we need to ensure that we keep our focus on the right things. This is easier said than done, too often the daily work pressures cause us to lose our focus and it often becomes difficult to regain our perspective. Classic leadership literature distinguishes between the role of a manager and a leader. Whilst this distinction has often created much debate, I have found the distinction a useful tool to check my focus. Warren Bennis in his popular book “On Becoming a Leader” makes the following observations concerning the roles of a manager and a leader:
- The manager administers -> The leader innovates
- The manager is a copy -> The leader is an original
- The manager focuses on systems and structure -> The leader focuses on people
- The manager relies on control -> The leader inspires trust
- The manager has a short-range view -> The leader has a long-range perspective
- The manager asks how and when -> The leader asks what and why
- The manager has his eye always on the bottom line -> The leader has his eye on the horizon
- The manager imitates – >The leader originates
- The manager accepts the status quo – > The leader challenges it
- The manager is the classic good soldier -> The leader is his own person
- The manager does things right -> The leader does the right thing
The importance of the above distinction, is not that managers don’t make good leaders or that leaders don’t make good managers. The insight that I gained is that the roles, tasks, mindsets and priorities of management is different, to that of a leadership. The primary challenge is that the pressures of our daily lives cause us to spend more time managing, than we do leading. After a while we by end up managing by default, we develop the habit of management. Before we know it we’re focused more on managing than leading. We forget to set aside time to lead. Looking at the above list where do you find yourself spending your time?
Technorati Tags: Focus, Roles, Management, Book, Leadership, GTD, Strategy, Lifehack
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I really appreciate this article. You do a great job of defining the difference between someone who just keeps things going and someone who has vision and innovation. One thing I have found at times is that people can be uncomfortable about a visionary leader. I think it has to do with the unfamiliarity and not knowing where their vision will lead. A smart leader must know when to slow down to let others gain confidence. This article lets people who don’t quite fit the stereotype know that they’re not alone and they’re not wrong.
Linda
I agree with this article. In present scenario all managers are no longer leaders. Manager are becoming more and more Task Oriented and less People Oriented. They are no more ethical in case of generating revenue for the company. They do put emphasis on copying rather than on innovation. Corporate sectors have to work a lot in development of leadership skills in managers.