What is the defining difference between a manager and leader? It has been said: ‘One commands our day to day operational activities, and the other our permanent, long-term obedience and allegiance’. Your role probably requires involvement in both areas, but it is important you understand and fulfil the need for effective leadership. Every business needs strong leaders, because people need effective leadership.
One example of the effect leadership has upon your business can be seen in how a team responds to you. If you come across two people talking and clearly not working – how do they respond? Are they relaxed, knowing they are delivering results on your behalf, or do they turn tail and head off to ‘do something useful’. Time to socialise, in moderation, is part of daily life – but so is hard work and achieving great results!
A truly respected leader would not even consider intervening in the conversation with trusted team members, because it would be without question those individuals are actively engaged in ensuring the future success of the organisation. An outstanding leader inspires and compels those around him or her to commit to the cause, and give their all.
It takes a certain type of individual to make the transition from manager to leader. Barry J Gibbons sees this requires a holistic approach; ‘Whereas management is simply a profession, leadership is clearly a condition’.
A leader must also take time to listen to those he leads. It is said that ‘the willingness to listen first and decide afterwards has sorted out the successful leaders from the unsuccessful’. A critical error of leadership is to be deaf to the warning signals from issued by their team. A leader must also speak with authority, but also intelligence.
He must remain sensitive to every element that contributes to the success of the business, to manage expectations and indeed results. It is necessary to be honest, yet there is a requirement to ensure he constantly under promises and exceeds expectations. In every aspect a leader should be worthy of his authority.
The power and the glory
A leader’s position provides him with power. People are often afraid of their manager’s power, and sometimes to the point of near paralysis. They are wary not of what they see you doing, but of what you could do, so you need to be consistent in your approach. This is essential if you are going to earn your teams trust. The most important message you can display is that you will never abuse the power you have.
Dwight D Eisenhower said ‘I would rather persuade a man to go along because once I have persuaded him he will stick. If I scare him, he will stay just as long as he is scared, and then he will be gone’. Sharing your power with your team gains their confidence, and enables you to create an effective and powerful team, who are able to achieve great things.
A leader needs to be seen to lead! If people do not see you taking the role of their ultimate leader, the only ‘leader’ they can relate to is probably your delegated subordinate who manages them day after day, or even the strongest personality from within their own team. As the leader you must have an all-consuming presence within the business, whether present or not. Watch a strong leader carefully and you will notice their influence clearly on display within each of his team. Especially when he is not there! I was once part of a small group of managers who welcomed a new leader.
One of his characteristics was to answer questions not with ‘yes’ but another singularly characteristic phrase. Within weeks it was noticeable that at our meetings many of the team had adopted this response themselves. As a leader if you can have that amount of influence in such a small way, never ever underestimate what you can achieve in more important matters.
A leader can only lead when his actions are seen to support the context of his business. He must be the expert on everything the business is aiming to achieve, and all that is required to achieve it. A leader who issues instructions with no explanation can appear autocratic. His decisions may be seen simply as a personal whim. All instructions should be issued complete with tangible business reasons for why it has to be done. People will follow a leader with confidence if provided with a genuine reason to act. A successful business requires a leader, a hero and a unifying task. When all three elements are in place the leader can start achieve outstanding results. Believe me, when it all starts to happen, it’s a great feeling. There is immense pleasure in influencing the outcome of events!
The difference between a good and bad leader is demonstrated very clearly by the loyalty they achieve from their staff. Abraham Lincoln said ‘no man is good enough to govern another man without that others consent’
Make sure your team know you so well that whether you are at work or not, they will be committed to the cause, and not knowingly deviate. If people believe in you, take every opportunity to reaffirm their belief. Use every meeting and every action to encourage people to ‘Keep the Faith’.
Keeping people faithful
People will only retain their faith in you if you never let them down. Don’t break the rules you expect them to uphold. Never take advantage of what you may believe are your rightful privileges yet others may see as you taking simply because of your rank. A leader with principles has strong stock value.
Consistency in your actions and attitude is also essential if you wish to make an outstanding leader. Land a plane once and you are possibly a lucky pilot. Land a plane consistently well and you are proven to be a good pilot. Avoid sending out mixed messages. Make decisions and communicate them simply and effectively. Be fair to everyone. Consistency is the key to building up trust in you.
Holding out for a hero
Leaders need to be modern day heroes to their workforce. A hero attracts unconditional support for their cause, and invites us to share in their justified fight for success. Leadership is essential to enable participation to evolve. An outstanding leader should also have an impressive bravery that can be witnessed through the display of his actions and emotions.
Shortly after the tragic events of 9/11 in New York, the company I was working for received a threatening letter containing what looked like anthrax powder or spores. I took it upon myself to calmly step into the post room, re-seal the letter and sweep the loose powder into a plastic bag before isolating the room and turning off the air movement system. With occupancy of over 1,000 people at the time, it was an action I saw as necessary and appropriate under the circumstances. This quiet measured action avoided any panic and allowed the situation to remain completely under control. I then ‘enjoyed’ a full decontamination at the city’s hospital, and the results of a laboratory analysis five days later before this unique chapter of my eventful life was closed. I was pleased that when faced with this situation I was able to take the risk myself to protect others, and set an example in adversity of both my character and willingness to lead, through serving. Great leaders are often unsung heroes, working hard supporting their team in ways that enable them to achieve greatness.
Outstanding leaders reach out to their team, suppliers and customers. These are the key relationships. However much time you have, or believe you have, in any working day, always remain approachable and make the time to build stronger relationships.
Being human
People sometimes fall ill, and leaders are no exception, but don’t people prefer healthy leaders; strong leaders; infallible leaders? So what if you are not?
John F Kennedy hid his illness from all but his closest staff to retain their belief in his strength. Yet even the most debilitating problems can be overcome with strength of mind. It was said of Ronald Reagan ‘although it was increasingly apparent within the White House that he was becoming hard of hearing, his infectious optimism overwhelmed any impression of disability’. Overcoming adversity is a further opportunity for a leader to display personal strength and determination, which can only impress and inspire.
Finally, and probably as reassurance for those who feel daunted by the role, your team will want you to be an outstanding leader, but they will also want you to be a real human being as well! Take any ability to be self-depreciating and to show your human side, as it will help your team not only to know you, but grow to appreciate your friendship.
Final thought
A leader is only truly powerful when:
- he empowers others, instead of using his power to control them
- he has the mandate of those in his team to lead them
