Saturday, September 15, 2007
Being a Leader vs. Being a Manager
Awhile back I read Mark Sanborn’s book, “You Don’t Need a Title To Be A Leader,” and remember a chart he had about the difference in being a leader versus being a manager.
Here are his distinctions:
* Managers have employees; Leaders win followers.
* Managers react to change; Leaders create change.
* Managers have good ideas; Leaders implement them.
* Managers communicate; Leaders persuade.
* Managers direct groups; Leaders create teams.
* Managers try to be heroes; Leaders make heroes of those around them.
* Managers take credit; Leaders take responsibility.
* Managers exercise power over people; Leaders exercise power with people.
My guess is that whether you are a manager or a leader (you might be both) at some point you’ve said some version of, “People are the most important resource here.”
But, is that really how you are behaving with co-workers on a daily basis? It’s the difference between having people work WITH you rather than FOR you. As a leader, make sure you are truly working WITH people.
Until next time...live like you mean it!
Marjorie