Leadership versus Management

Leadership versus Management - there is a world of difference between the two ... between the focus and the types of results achieved. Many corporate leadership development programs focus on providing skills that are more management focused - which may not always equip you with the skills you need to successfully navigate your way to success in today's organizations.

Life is rapidly changing and so too the way you influence people must be able to shift rapidly to meet the new requirements.

To get a sense of how much change is in store for us, consider how different life was in 1982, only a few decades ago.

And, at work...

• There were no faxes, answering machines, or cell phones
• Rotary phones and typewriters were commonplace
• If people had computers at all, they were dumb terminals
• Semiconductors, cable TV, and the Internet were not major industries
• "Made in Japan" was just beginning to mean quality, not junk
• Many of what are now the world's largest markets were closed to outside trade

So, what do the next 10, 15, 20 years hold? One thing is for certain the way you are managing and leading today is going to be different - and if you don't keep up you will probably be left behind - or worse yet become extinct like the typewriter!

Today you are probably expected to:

• Produce more
• Increase profits/minimize costs
• Make sharper/better/quicker decisions
• Respond effectively to the needs of your people
• Manage multiple projects
• Be available 24/7 ... enslaved to your electronic media

In order to do this and more, you may need to make some shifts. The table below lists some key distinctions between leadership vs management. Pick one or two and focus on improving your skills in that area.

For example, many of the leaders, when they first come into coaching with me, are running on crisis problem solving and very caught up in the day-to-day. Through coaching they get better at being problem anticipators and spending time on anticipating the big picture and where they are leading their business unit to. Changing their focus in this way has seen many of these leaders get promotions and all of them feeling like they are more control of their work life.

Leadership versus Management: Key Distinctions

Management Old Way= Low Performance	Leadership New Way = High Performance	Distinction
Maintaining status quo	Leading the charge for continuous improvement	A business created for today vs A business designed for the long-term
Dumping change on people	Involving people in the change process and helping them to understand why	Like it or lump it vs Together we can make this transition easier and quicker
Tolerating low performance	Accepting only High Performance	I don't want the hassle of dealing with you vs The better Leader I am the better you will be
One Management Style fits all	Flexibility of Leadership, asking people how to best lead them	My way or the highway vs How can I help you be your best?
Avoiding staff problems	On-time feedback about performance	Maybe it will go away vs Every player in this game is important
Patronizing, Critical, Gossiping,	Leading with Integrity	I am your judge vs With my constructive support you can improve
Solving problems well - but often in crisis state	Anticipating Problems	Busy, busy, busy vs Strategically working on the business
Focussing on weaknesses	Having people work in roles in which their strengths can be maximised	You have to fit your job vs Which roles/tasks here best suit you
Asking a person to improve/change	Seeing the greatness in a person and asking them to step up to their potential	You aren't good enough vs There is so much more to you
Expecting compliance	Providing reasons, seeking debate and input, responding to feedback	Changes made with poor implementation vs High acceptance of and excellent implementation of change
"I'm watching you"	"Do you have all the resources you need"	Distrusting Boss vs Trusting Resource
"It's your job, so get on with it"	"Tell me how I can help you succeed"	Employees having to vs Employees wanting to
Source of recognition and approval	Source of Endorsement and Challenge	People needing your approval vs People seeing you as the person who creates opportunities for them to grow
Fear based Environment	Safe, Love based Environment	"I can't, in case I get in trouble" vs "Let's give it a try and see what we learn"
Creating Push Environment	Creating a Pull Environment	Employees avoiding responsibility vs Employees feel confident to seek responsibility
Focusing on the past	Perfecting the Present	Focused on fear vs Focusing on what we can do right now
Working in the Business	Working on the Business	Focused on today vs Focused on today and the future
Reacting to Senior Management	Managing Up	I have little/no control vs I can influence our future
Giving in to failure, disappointment	Resiliently creating new opportunities, where none seem to exist	Victim vs Self-Responsible
Pretending to care about people	Deeply caring about people	Manipulation vs Love
Manage by rules	Lead by principles	Decisions made on history vs Decisions made on the situation at hand
Motivate through competition	Motivate through co-operation	Struggling against vs Working together
Content with static skills	Creates the space for personal growth and development	Stagnant vs Enriching Learning Organisations
Focus on short-term results	Focus on immediate and big picture	Keeping head above water vs Strategically set for the future
Systems that create people who know how to perform tasks	Creating systems that enable people to handle information and knowledge	I'm doing my job vs I am a business owner
Wanting people to rely on you for answers	Expecting people to be their own solution centre	Ego-centred Manager vs Breakthrough Leader
Doing it by yourself	Understanding the importance of having someone coach you to a higher level of performance	Same results vs Continuous self-growth and improvement

Leadership versus management - which is your pathway to success? If you truly want to be a leader of this new millennium then start putting yourself at the leading edge - become a member of my premium site where you get access to the very best resources you need to be at your best and bring out the best in others. Join the Align-Lead-Inspire Club today.