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What is the difference between a Leader and a Manager, and who cares?
From Living, Leading, and the American Dream, here is John Gardner's take on the ways that Leader & Leader-Managers distinguish themselves from the general run of managers:
- "They think longer term...
- In thinking about the unit they are heading, they grasp its relationship to larger realities...
- They reach and influence constituents, beyond their jurisdictions, beyond boundaries.
- They put heavy emphasis on the intangibles of vision, values and motivation...
- They have the political skill to cope with the conflicting requirements of mulitple constituencies.
- They think in terms of renewal"
A couple more intersting quotes from the same section of the book to help define the discussion...
"Every time I encounter utterly first-class managers they turn out to have quite a lot of leader in them."
"Even the most visionary leader is faced on occasion with decisions that every manager faces: when to take a short-term loss to achieve a long-term gain, how to allocate scarce resources, whom to trust with a delicate assignment."
And, it matters because...?
At some point in the business planning process, you'll examine the roles and functions needed for success. This planning will require an understanding of the blend of "front-line" work or technician work, management and leadership.
How do you think about the roles of leadership and "managership" for your organization?
Posted on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 at 11:46am by Brian Cassell |
