What's wrong with being a good manager?

How often do you hear that being a Great Leader is the end-all, be-all? We’ve all likely been exposed to some form of training on recognizing “Leadership versus Management”. How the Leader is this immortalized figure of poise, inspiration, and love; whereas the Manager is more the “boss” that “directs” instead of “leading you!” 

I loosely define “Management” into four basic but crucial actions:

1. Prioritize Resources and Tasking (people, material, etc…)

2. Assign Workloads with Time Constraints (#delegate)

3. Make Timely Decisions When Required (emphasis on timely)

4. Follow Up and Communicate

Whereas Leadership is sometimes more of an inspirational position – setting a strategic vision, motivating the team to greater heights, helping them connect their efforts to the “big picture”. 

I firmly believe both are distinctly separate – and existentially critical – to the success of the organization. Yet I mainly hear that Leadership is where we want everyone to be. Are we (the collective “we” mind you) practicing good Management? 

Are we making timely decisions and prioritizing our resources effectively? (Does your staff agree?) Are we having hard conversations when timelines aren’t met? Are you listening to your staff when they give feedback on their abilities and resources? All of these questions I batch into the Manager’s duties.

As a “Leader” myself I’ve been on a Management kick recently (to which you are all now exposed to my moderately coherent ramble) and I think there might be something missing when we overlook the value of good to great Management. I’m working on an equation – as all good engineers do – that resembles something like this:

<<Good Management + Empathy = Good Leadership>>

Is it over-simplified? Maybe, and I’m good with it if it starts the conversation.

What are your thoughts? Is “Leadership” sold more than “Management”? Are we taught Good Management or is our focus directed more towards being a Good Leader?

Question of the Day: “What obstacle is blocking your success today?”