Welcome again to the power of knowledge surrounding leadership and media strategies. This week's article will focus on leadership and how it distinguishes from management. Many may think that leadership is the same as management and you aren't alone. The two can be confusing sometimes, but the skills sets are different. Some people are natural leaders, while others have to learn the skills to become a part of leadership. Leadership is in every organization whether it's in the government, non-profit, or corporate world and having people on the same page are what leaders can accomplish. If you are still having doubts about leadership not being management, stay with along this ride, and it will certainly become clearer as the information is being put forth.
Leadership is not management, and the differences can easily be shown. Management deals with the ability to produce a product and service without a need to build a relationship with their employees. Kotter (2013) stated, "management is a set of well-known processes, like budgeting, planning, structuring jobs, staffing jobs, measuring performance, and problem-solving, which help an organization to do what it knows how to do well predictably." Have you ever wonder why an employee doesn't have a relationship with management, this evidence shows what the job description entitles. Management focuses on getting job task complete and handle the difficult task that may follow. Imagine yourself going to a car dealership, and you're talking to a salesperson, and they get up to go to another cubical which is the manager's office, the salesperson comes back to you and indicates that the manager signed off on the sale. Management did their job in making sure the service was being handled properly.
Now let us take a look at leadership that is totally different from management. Leadership leads to create an understanding between both parties being present. Some traits that a leader possess are as follows: 1)has a vision, purpose, and direction, 2) technical/administrative, 3) thinking skills, 4) drive and motivation, 5) trust and respect, 6) teamwork and collaboration, 7) empowerment, and 8) coach, praise, and give feedback. If you consider yourself a leader do you possess the necessary skills that are mention, ask yourself that question. Many may say, but in reality, the truth sometimes will show you the light and changes will be needed on your behalf. Kotter (2013) stated, "Leadership is not about attributes, it's about behavior." This statement is so true when it comes down to being a leader whether in past, present, or future tense.
During my tenure as a youth football coach, my task in a position of leadership resembled some of these traits and when dealing with 7, 8, 9, and ten years, your behavior has to be on point. Trying to get young kids to see your vision in that no matter what the final score is, they're all still winners. Respect, trust, and empowering others will take you to another level in life. Once people can enhance their leadership in strategic communication, then things will become so easy when dealing people. Making sure that good examples are being set and giving people a chance to add to the information that can be beneficial to what's trying to accomplished. Have you heard the saying, "you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make them drink" which is very much true, in other words, you can lead a person, but it's up to the individual if they want to reap the rewards being presented?
Both of leadership and management is vital to an organization both have different agendas. Being a leader in strategic communication works when information is being provided, in a way that's clearly explained. Once the individual gets people to believe in the shared ideas or even come together on a mission is when leadership has succeeded. Leadership can communicate in a variety of ways such as; staff meetings, emails, or even phone calls that will allow participation from all parties. Leadership helps the organization to run smooth which allows management to do their job involving the business structure. After reading a few articles on leaders in strategic communication and what it takes to be a leader has clarified a lot of information on what it takes to be a leader. Once you start to find out that your leadership skills aren't what you think they are, then you will understand.
Many successful leaders had visions, such as Martin Luther King Jr., President Barack Obama, Senator Bernie Sanders, General George Patton, and Nelson Mandela to name a few. To understand leadership that brings success, look at these list of individuals from the past to present. Each one had a vision, inspired, and motivated people to believe in what they were trying to accomplish. It takes dedication, time, and hard work to be in a leadership position. Leaders will never have to management anyone but build a relationship that promotes positive behavior equalling positive results.
Leaders should have the ability to strategically communicate as I am learning through this class that has given a better understanding of leadership. Employers are highly seeking individuals with excellent leadership skills for their organization. Utilize this skill set to grow and enhance opportunities that may be present or in the near future. I hope this power of knowledge of leadership has been very helpful and many of you will be able to incorporate this information into your daily lives. Hope you will continue to enjoy this blog along with the information presented on a weekly basis.
Reference
http://blogs.hbr.org/kotter/2013/01/management-is-still-not-leadership.html. by John P. Kotter
-The breakdown on the differences between leadership and management are vital and nicely outlined in your blog. I felt the biggest call out was leadership is about behavior, leaders can't seem to have a bad day huh? Which is a bit ridiculous seeing that leaders are human beings and have the same type of problems both professionally and personally.
ReplyDelete-Great example and use of personal experience in the blog with experiences as a youth football coach. Children remember most everything and adults tend to be held more accountable when telling a child what is right or wrong-the concept of practicing what you preach comes into play.
-The Video in your blog kind of confused me-the content was great and I was thinking it was you at first, but who is this Scott Williams? I went back and skimmed the blog-no reference to who or what the video was linking back to in your blog other than the difference between leaders and managers explained-which I understand is the point of this blog.
-Good list of examples regarding vision and leadership-this would have been good place to insert a video or quote or picture in addition to your other clip.