“Effective Leadership is putting first things first.
Effective Management is discipline, carrying it out.”
—Stephen Covey
So often there is discussion on Leadership vs. Management and which role will lead you to greater success. I believe Leadership and Management go hand in hand; both are important and has always been that way.
The Leader’s job is to inspire and motivate and the Manager’s job is to plan, organize and coordinate.
Many of us, as children, played a game called Follow the Leader. The leader moves around and all the children have to mimic the leader’s actions. What the leader does the others must follow. The last person still in the game, other than the leader, is now the new leader.
It may seem silly to be discussing a children’s game but it does help to demonstrate the importance for a leader to both Lead as well as Manage their team. The leader in the Follow the Leader game was managing the actions of the players. They were focused on him and they were intent on doing whatever he did……
A leader needs to know where they are going. Being a visionary is key, but in order for the team to follow in an efficient and effective way they need to know what is expected of them and to not only know what to do, but how to do it.
In managing your team your job is to plan, organize and co-ordinate. Provide clear direction – create standards and give clear expectations so the team members know what they are supposed to do.
Team members want and need to have communicated to them:
- The Objective – what is expected
- Practical Training – Receive instruction on how to do the job
- Understand the Culture – of the team and the company
- Awareness of Deadlines and rules of the team and business
How you manage your team will show-up in your team Productivity.
In leading a team it is important to structure experiences that make it possible for skill development and that build confidence and competence.
Albert Schweitzer once wrote, ‘You must teach men at the school of example, for they will learn at no other.’
Wasn’t it interesting that the last player in the game of Follow the Leader was moved up to be the new leader? He followed as the leader modeled his role.
“Tell me and I forget,
Teach me and I may remember,
Involve me and I learn.” – Benjamin Franklin
“The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers.” Ralf Nader
The Leader focuses on people…they Build trust and ~Persuade ~ Inspire ~ Motivate others to follow them. As well as, being responsible for building and communicating their vision while never forgetting the lessons of the game of Follow the Leader.
This is ‘Leading by Example’ as well as ‘Effectively Managing’ your team.
