LEADERSHIP: Leader & Manager are titles often used to describe common positions, although the difference between the two is significant in definition, as well as performance. Managers administer and maintain, where leaders innovate and develop. Managers rely on systems and controls, where leaders rely on people and trust. Managers seek compliance, while leaders seek results. Leaders understand that their success is in the hands of a team that will follow and perform out of respect and desire, not fear of retribution. And they know that such respect must be earned, and that it is never a byproduct of job title.
By definition, leadership is the ability to build, develop, and motivate a team of diverse, talented individuals to effectively attain goals / objectives. And although it sounds simple, there are many traits that separate true leaders from everyday managers.
Leaders provide vision and focus. They see where they want to go and they set the direction confidently. They communicate it clearly, consistently (in both word and action), and they do it often. Leaders keep their team focused and on track. They reduce roadblocks and resist creating ones of their own. They focus on long-term strategy, not micromanagement.
Leaders know that people are their most important resource. They understand that people are their most defendable asset and their best form of market differentiation. They know that daily work enjoyment and company performance are closely linked. They embrace the fact that people are individuals and treat them accordingly. They abhor politics at any level. And most importantly, they put their trust in people over processes.
Leaders know that customers are the company’s lifeblood. They listen to their customers often. They support their customers with every available resource. And they create a corporate culture that rewards unwavering support of customers at every level in the organization.
Leaders surround themselves with talent. They understand and acknowledge their own weaknesses and they build teams accordingly. (NOTE: Managers see little weakness in themselves and build their teams with people who will comply accordingly.) Leaders listen to and seek challenge from their teams, understanding that better decisions are made accordingly. They understand the dynamics of leading high performance individuals, and they produce significant results accordingly.
Leaders cause decision to be made. They gather and trust facts. They seek consensus because they know that buy-in maximizes performance. In the absence of consensus, leaders act timely and confidently in the best interest of the organization. And they understand that “no decision”, is always the wrong decision!
Leaders know that corporate culture means everything. They provide passion and the guiding principles on which their company is driven. And they lead by those principles daily without exception.
Leaders have a strong sense of self and are not easily influenced by popularity. They are not “born that way” and the skills are not innate. Leaders are made of hard work, unbiased self-analysis and daily dedication to results through the performance of those around them.
As a final note remember that you can’t be promoted to “leadership”, but you can be promoted because of leadership capabilities. And while someone else can make you a manager, only you can make you a leader.
