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There is a lot of talk about the difference between a manager and a leader. Books, magazine articles and blogs try to draw a line between the two.
Perhaps this is a useful definition of the difference: Leaders change what is happening, managers get the best out of the status quo.
Awkwardly, we believe that a manager who doesn’t change things for the better is not doing the right job. We call that administration not management. We think a good manager has to change things for the better.
If that means using leadership skills then perhaps a good manager has both skill sets.
If the focus is on getting things done more effectively the label really doesn’t matter.
A great leader makes great things happen.
They do not need to be very large, great things but they should be particular. They should make the observer think “now that is special”.
We all know these people; we meet them in daily life. We might not think of them as leaders but they have made a difference, made something happen that would not have happened without their involvement.
I have in mind a Cub Pack leader I knew – my son’s Pack Akela.
We knew our son was happy there and enjoyed his time in the Pack. One special day all the Cub Packs in the district attended a ceremony. They were all well behaved and it was a parental joy for us all.
When the ceremony was over all the other packs split up and the Cubs ran hither and yon playing and vaguely trying to meet up with their parents. It was uncomfortable to see at a well attended public event.
“Our” Akela kept all his Cubs close to him and had no problem in keeping them secure until their parents arrived to collect them.
I am sure his Cubs were no different to any of the others – they wanted to let off some steam and run about. But he had instilled the need to stay together and all his Pack’s parents were grateful.
Too small a success for a Great Leader do you think? Lord Nelson would only eat when all his men had been fed. Not much in that really. But it does make people feel special and valued.
When did you last ask that person in your office about that problem you know they had?
There is no neutral ground.
You ask or you don’t.
You show you care or don’t care.
That person will work a little harder for you or a little slower.
You make things better or you make them worse.
You are part of the problem or part of the solution.
Resolve to be better in 2010!
Helping inspire your people
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important!) It isn’t just that they help you achieve something you might not otherwise; they make you review the last year and form a wish list for the next.
