The difference between leading and managing is even more important in today's rapidly changing world. Imagine yourself riding a bicycle. The back wheel in this metaphor relates to management - organizing, planning, scheduling, forecasting, measuring, and budgeting. These activities are crucial to organizational movement and efficiency. They also have their limitations and they, as Jack Welch says, "are only as good as far as they go; leadership is the way to win." Focusing on management only, in our bicycle analogy, is like riding a unicycle - forwards, backwards, sideways, and in circles - struggling to not fall over. If this is all you focus on, you become a DOER and deal only with STUFF. There is not any direction. The front wheel represents leadership - direction, aligning, empowering, coaching, innovation, creativity, risk, trust, and growth. The common denominator - a people focus. Leadership, from Latin, means journey. Where are you and your team going, how are you going to get there, why do I want to be a part, what will I experience and be able to contribute. Out in front of the bicycle is your vision. Putting it all together - your Vision inspires you, Leadership guides you and Management moves you!
Have a great journey!