In the dynamic landscape of leadership, those who have spent time in managerial roles understand the roller-coaster journey it has been. Over the last couple of decades, the emphasis in corporate leadership training has predominantly leaned towards managerial skills. The prevailing sentiment was that studying the characteristics of past great leaders was culturally outdated. The modern boss was considered one of the team, and the term ‘leader’ seemed too authoritative for the more egalitarian business society. Leadership, it seemed, was merely seeking approval for consensus opinions, and the focus shifted to management skills.
However, the tides have turned, prompting a realization that management is not synonymous with leadership. As David Maister aptly pointed out, many modern companies are “over managed and under lead.” This shift has led to a renewed emphasis on genuine leadership skills.
To better understand the distinction between leadership and management, it’s crucial to define their respective key functions:
- Leadership: The primary function of a leader is to establish the basic vision, purpose, or mission of the organization. It is the leader’s responsibility to implement the overall strategy to achieve the organization’s goals.
- Management: The primary function of a manager is to implement the vision. Managers organize resources and manpower to translate the leader’s vision and goals into action.
While effective leaders often possess good managerial skills and vice versa, it’s essential to recognize and appreciate the distinction between the two roles.
Research conducted in both the US and the UK has identified a model characterizing effective leaders today. This model encompasses four key areas of successful leadership:
- Motives and Traits: Effective leaders exhibit consistent personal characteristics that set them apart.
- Knowledge, Skills, and Ability: Leaders bring practical and personal skills and attitudes to their role.
- Creative and Visionary: Successful leaders demonstrate the ability to envision alternatives and the courage to pursue them.
- Implementation of the Vision: True leadership requires translating a vision into action. A vision that remains unacted upon is merely a dream. Therefore, effective leaders can turn their ‘dream’ into corporate reality.
Managing an organization and leading it are distinct endeavors. Leadership involves having the will, acquiring the knowledge and skills, creating a compelling vision, and, most importantly, putting that vision into practice. As businesses evolve, acknowledging and embracing true leadership becomes integral to navigating the complexities of the modern professional landscape.
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Trish Springsteen
Get Known Be Seen Specialist, Personal Branding Strategist
Australia’s Leading Expert in Empowering Introverts
Multi International Award Winning Mentor
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I Believe in You until You Believe in Yourself
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