For as long as I knew what a leader was I wanted to be one. This was the person (in my mind) who made decisions and people lined up to follow them. It seemed easy, glamorous and a host of other superlatives that are escaping my mind at the moment. Throughout my life I have held various leadership positions from student council representative in 8th grade up to my current job as a Director at a University, my experiences have been wide and varied.
I did not realize that a lot of what leading consists of is actually doing management. Management is making sure things are functioning the way you set out things to happen. Management is when you keep things happening. Leadership is the process of inspiring, charting new ground, solving problems - etc.
Last week I had to lead. The way I lead now is far different than how I led in college. In college I would use guilt to get people to make sure they showed up in their volunteer positions - Now I try and actually ask people to be a part of something that they would not dare miss. I am learning, and trying to still lead.
I also have to do a lot of managing - sometimes managing can seem boring, but I appreciate it more and more when things run smoothly. But, inevitably things will not go smoothly and then leadership is required. Leadership is also required in order to break new ground and move forward in the first place. Break new ground - manage - solve problems - move forward - get thigns going smoothly - break new ground - solve problems - you see where I am going with this.
I am learning a lot lately.
JVD
Joe,
It’s an interesting distinction that I am learning too. This summer, I read “The One Thing” by Marcus Buckingham and he makes a clear distinction between Managing and Leading. It’s a good read, I think you would enjoy it.
Good post JVD. There is a clear distinction between leading and managing, and your post illustrates that well. One thing I have found is that some of the skills great leaders possess make them horrible managers. The flip side is also true. There are certain traits that great managers have that make them terrible leaders. I like the distinction between Big L leaders and little l leaders. Everyone has to be a little l leader sometimes, but not anyone can be an effective Big L leader,
Thanks for the comment - I have almost finished the Buckingham book - it is a good one - Brenton - Big L little l is important -
JVD