I came into Leadership study quite by accident. Like many people in leadership positions, I had never had formal leadership training. Ironically, most positions I have held started out in leadership or soon became a leadership position. While I was recovering from a stroke and my wife was working toward her masters degree, she came across the Doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership. Knowing my interest in leadership she thought it looked like it was designed for me. Having always wanted to work toward a Ph.D., I began my studies.
While studying leadership, the whole world of organizational development (OD) and behavior (OB) opened up to me. I had been blissfully ignorant of OD and OB, but became aware their vital role in effective leadership and organizational success.
The two question I had most about leadership--and that I find that many people have (or have strong opinions) about are:
1. Are leaders born or made?
2. What is the difference between a Manager and a Leader?
Both of these questions have been discussed in almost every book on leadership. The consensus seems to the that while some leaders may be born with some sense of leadership, leaders are primarily made. Ultimately, leaders are born and made. My contention is that many "born leaders" are actually narcissists. Narcissists are always going to appear to be leaders because of their natural tendency to control and have things their way. Also, many times we fail to see or acknowledge the development process of great leaders. I have had this conversation with many and find it quite interesting that those insisting that leaders are born and not made consider themselves to be born leaders.
The difference between a manager and a leader is often an early discussion in leadership books. Warren Bennis' book "On Becoming a Leader" breaks it down this way:
"I tend to think of the differences between leaders and managers as the differences between those who master the context and those who surrender to it. There are other differences, as well, and they are enormous and crucial:
• The manager administers; the leader innovates.
• The manager is a copy; the leader is an original.
• The manager maintains; the leader develops.
• The manager focuses on systems and structure; the leader focuses on people.
• The manager relies on control; the leader inspires trust.
• The manager has a short-range view; the leader has a long-range perspective.
• The manager asks how and when; the leader asks what and why.
• The manager has his or her eye always on the bottom line; the leader’s eye is on the horizon.
• The manager imitates; the leader originates.
• The manager accepts the status quo; the leader challenges it.
• The manager is the classic good soldier; the leader is his or her own person.
• The manager does things right; the leader does the right thing.*"
*[I would only add that each of these points taken individually does not give a realistic distinction between leaders and managers. For instance, I have heard people say that the difference between the two are that managers do things right and leaders do the right thing. If that is the only criteria for distinguishing the two, it implies that leaders don't do things right and that manager don't do the right things. Only in the context of greater distinction does that make sense. --Dr. Bayes]
Reference
Bennis (2009-02-10). On Becoming a Leader (pp. 41-42). Basic Books. Kindle Edition.
While studying leadership, the whole world of organizational development (OD) and behavior (OB) opened up to me. I had been blissfully ignorant of OD and OB, but became aware their vital role in effective leadership and organizational success.
The two question I had most about leadership--and that I find that many people have (or have strong opinions) about are:
1. Are leaders born or made?
2. What is the difference between a Manager and a Leader?
Both of these questions have been discussed in almost every book on leadership. The consensus seems to the that while some leaders may be born with some sense of leadership, leaders are primarily made. Ultimately, leaders are born and made. My contention is that many "born leaders" are actually narcissists. Narcissists are always going to appear to be leaders because of their natural tendency to control and have things their way. Also, many times we fail to see or acknowledge the development process of great leaders. I have had this conversation with many and find it quite interesting that those insisting that leaders are born and not made consider themselves to be born leaders.
The difference between a manager and a leader is often an early discussion in leadership books. Warren Bennis' book "On Becoming a Leader" breaks it down this way:
"I tend to think of the differences between leaders and managers as the differences between those who master the context and those who surrender to it. There are other differences, as well, and they are enormous and crucial:
• The manager administers; the leader innovates.
• The manager is a copy; the leader is an original.
• The manager maintains; the leader develops.
• The manager focuses on systems and structure; the leader focuses on people.
• The manager relies on control; the leader inspires trust.
• The manager has a short-range view; the leader has a long-range perspective.
• The manager asks how and when; the leader asks what and why.
• The manager has his or her eye always on the bottom line; the leader’s eye is on the horizon.
• The manager imitates; the leader originates.
• The manager accepts the status quo; the leader challenges it.
• The manager is the classic good soldier; the leader is his or her own person.
• The manager does things right; the leader does the right thing.*"
*[I would only add that each of these points taken individually does not give a realistic distinction between leaders and managers. For instance, I have heard people say that the difference between the two are that managers do things right and leaders do the right thing. If that is the only criteria for distinguishing the two, it implies that leaders don't do things right and that manager don't do the right things. Only in the context of greater distinction does that make sense. --Dr. Bayes]
Reference
Bennis (2009-02-10). On Becoming a Leader (pp. 41-42). Basic Books. Kindle Edition.