Frankly, I get tired of people bashing management because it is almost impossible for an organization to function without good management. “Management” is the only group in an organization that people openly bash. I have read countless organizational consultants and strategists praising leadership skills over management skills as superior and more important.
Show me an organization with great leadership and poor management, and I will show you a dysfunctional organization with a bad culture.
By the same token, if you show me an organization with excellent management and poor leadership, I will show you a dysfunctional organization with a bad culture.
You see, the two functions must operate in harmony for the organization to function and to maintain a positive culture.
Leadership’s role is to set direction and help calibrate the vision of the organization, i.e., where are we going? A capable leadership team provides inspiration and alignment between vision and values. Leadership looks out for the long-term health of the organization and makes sure it stays on course.
Management’s role is to make sense of the complexity, bringing order and consistency to help with the day to day job of getting the work done. In other words, management focuses on the short-term, and daily interactions to ensure it navigates on the path leadership sets.
Some things to consider in aligning your management and leadership teams:
Value both Leadership and Management - both are necessary for success, and each serves a purpose for achieving organizational success
Strike the right balance - avoid the mistake of over-managing and under-leading; or over-leading and under-managing
Be empathetic - make sure top leadership knows what it’s like to walk in the shoes of management and vice versa.
WATER THE BAMBOO
2-DAY LEADERSHIP BOOT CAMP - APRIL 23 & 24
In this fast-paced world, today’s leader must learn to develop the mindset of a Bamboo Farmer – one of patience and relentless persistence for yourself and your team.
Join Greg for an inspiring, fun-filled 2-day Water The Bamboo Leadership Boot Camp based on his popular book, Water The Bamboo®: Unleashing The Potential Of Teams And Individuals.