The
debate about the difference between a manager and leader has been settled.
Without question, there is a difference in both definition and behavior. Just
to ensure we are on the same page, here are my favorite definitions of both in
action form:
Management:
The manipulation of others for your own success
Leadership:
Serving and empowering the lives that have been entrusted to you
Unless
you grew up in a place of worship or had really strong figures in your life
that taught you about serving and empowering, you most likely default to
management. Why? Because it's what's taught in schools, colleges and
organizational leadership development programs. In many ways, our environment
is teaching us to be managers, not leaders, but unfortunately, that's not an
excuse. Here are six habits that can help change managers into leaders.
1. Find a
Purpose Beyond Money
While
there is no question that money is important in life, one of the best ways to
make a leap towards being a leader is to find a true purpose in your work
beyond money. If the only reason you go to work is for money, your people will
know and you will never make the leap to serve.
2.
Decentralize Decision Making
Most
people move into a position of management because they were good at their job.
Typically their first actions are to solve all the worlds problems and be a
major part in every decision facing the team. The problem is the people they
are now leading are being treated as followers and have a sense of being in a
subordinate position, thus creating more followers, not more leaders. As
leadership expert David Marquet says, "followers have limited decision
making authority and little incentive to give the utmost of their intellect,
energy, and passion. Those who take orders usually run at half speed, under
utilizing their imagination and initiative."
The key
here is to not only be ok with your people making decisions make it a core part
of their job.
3. Give
and Serve Outside of Work
I don't
mean to give financially, I mean give your time. Winston Churchill famously
said "We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we
give."
Look for
ways to volunteer in your community or start a support group. The point here is
if you learn to give up your free time to serve those that you don't know, you
most certainly will begin to serve and empower those that you do at work.
4. Focus
on Your Example
The old
adage 'do as I say, not as I do' is an awful way to lead and a sure-fire way to
erode trust with your team. Leading by example encompasses all your actions,
from what time you show up at the office, how much vacation you take, what you
wear, to the moral and ethical decisions you make both at work and home.
The
choices you make every single day are watched and judged by others. Do your
actions exemplify the way you want to be portrayed? One of the most important
things you can remember is not allowing your title to effect a positive example
you set for your team.
5.
Thinking You Have to Be the Hero
Like most
professionals, I met my biggest weakness early on. I thought I was the only
person who could do things right, and I had to have my hand in every decision.
Then someone told me,
"If
you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."
It was
exactly what I needed to hear. From then on, I knew I didn't have to be the
hero. Now, I surround myself with talented people, ask for help, give more
responsibility, and try to listen more than I talk.
6. Stop
Making Excuses
If you
habitually struggle with saying or thinking on a regular basis "There is
never enough hours in the day" or "this quarter is so
important," stop and reflect on what you are saying. Every quarter is
important and every day is important but it shouldn't for a minute stop you
from thinking critically about how you are leading other people.
I don't
care what the circumstance eliminate your excuses, take responsibility and put
in the work.
God bless
Cross River State
God bless
De-Mandate Advocate
