February 24, 2015 at 8:27 pm
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Small Leadership
February 25, 2015 at 1:09 am
On the theme of "A lot of people have gone further than they thought they could because someone else thought they could." is that sometimes people achieve more through guidance rather than restrain.
The young me believed in more possibilities than me today. Fortunately I was mentored by people who directed my enthusiasm rather than dampening it.
I am where I am today in part because what others have done for me and in part what they haven't.
Gaz
-- Stop your grinnin' and drop your linen...they're everywhere!!!
February 25, 2015 at 5:32 am
Leadership and management are two different skill sets - something a fair part of the business world doesn't get. They certainly impact one another, but they are distinct skills.
Put another way, the ability to effectively and efficiently marshal resources to accomplish an objective (managing) is not the same thing as - to borrow Steve's phrase - the ability to inspire others to "do more than they might otherwise" (leadership). Managers get things done, but people follow a leader.
Ideally a good leader should have decent management skills, and good managers should employ sound leadership principles, but far too often that isn't the case.
____________
Just my $0.02 from over here in the cheap seats of the peanut gallery - please adjust for inflation and/or your local currency.
February 25, 2015 at 7:16 am
Over the years I have told both those I have managed and as well as my own superiors that I always try to get staff who are smarter than me. When they succeed so do I. It seemed to help them do their best. Who knows?
February 25, 2015 at 7:35 am
I would like to recommend a recent book on this topic - "Leaders Eat Last" by Simon Sinek.
My own view is that one cannot be a good manager without some leadership skill. And though the two topics may be different, management is entwined with leadership to the point that management without leadership can't rise above the mediocre.
February 25, 2015 at 8:58 am
"Far too many managers don't believe in their staff, and make the clear constantly. Those managers aren't helping themselves or their company, as they'll ensure most of their employees don't do the best work they can."
This is how my current boss comes across. It has taken two years under this boss for me to get over the lack of trust in my or any of the department employees. Two years where my production was not what it could and should have been. It has taken the understanding that the bosses reality is different than mine. I know now the boss is so afraid of his failure he micro manages, so even when we are told we are doing a good job we don't believe he really thinks that. I get it is that the boss feels like he has to be perfect to show those who promoted him they were right.
It is much better for companies to develop the attitude from the very top that a company grows if each employee grows and that every employee is capable of continued growth no matter how long they have been with the company or how old they are.
February 25, 2015 at 9:14 am
Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who can cut through argument, debate and doubt to offer a solution everybody can understand.
– Colin Powell
I believe this quote is particularly applicable to IT leadership, especially at the team level. A good team leader is a reductionist who can reliably and confidently guide the team to the next step, even if executive managment's grand design is vague or changing. On the flip side, they're also forward thinkers and helping (in their own small way) to drive the grand design.
"Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Instead, seek what they sought." - Matsuo Basho
February 25, 2015 at 9:51 am
Eric M Russell (2/25/2015)
Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who can cut through argument, debate and doubt to offer a solution everybody can understand.
– Colin Powell
I believe this quote is particularly applicable to IT leadership, especially at the team level. A good team leader is a reductionist who can reliably and confidently guide the team to the next step, even if executive managment's grand design is vague or changing. On the flip side, they're also forward thinkers and helping (in their own small way) to drive the grand design.
If only he could pronounce Colin.
(Sorry. Everyone's pronunciation of their own name is their own business but over here in the UK there was a collective "What?!?" when we were informed how he pronounces his name. For such a man who should be measured on his achievements and failures he will always be remembered over here for the way he says Colin.)
Gaz
-- Stop your grinnin' and drop your linen...they're everywhere!!!
February 25, 2015 at 10:23 am
This speaks to me. Nice editorial.
February 25, 2015 at 2:44 pm
You can lead and influence just by being competent and approachable.
February 26, 2015 at 4:28 am
jshahan (2/25/2015)
You can lead and influence just by being competent and approachable.
Agreed. Which means we all can lead and influence!!!
Gaz
-- Stop your grinnin' and drop your linen...they're everywhere!!!
February 27, 2015 at 7:41 am
Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who can cut through argument, debate and doubt to offer a solution everybody can understand.
– Colin Powell
So True, and for great leaders: Success goes to the team, failure goes to the leader.
The more you are prepared, the less you need it.
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