Management and Leadership Study the art of both management and leadership”
Marla J Noel, Author, Executive Coach, Business Guru
Those who understand the importance of managing want to build superior businesses. One business owner, a prime example, consistently brags about what a capable leader they are. Meanwhile, employees come and go through that business like steam from a teapot. Most effective businesses need both effective management and sound leadership.
As a manager, I probably made every mistake in the book. However, I never wanted to do anything poorly, so I took it upon myself to read business books, get an MBA, join peer groups to learn from others, and study the art of both management and leadership.
Here is my distinction between the two
1. Management is the control of work or processes. A great manager determines what needs to be done and directs the employees on how and when to do it. A skillful manager puts procedures in place to drive the process, then measures the outcomes. Once outcomes are measured, the manager adjusts the process, if necessary, to improve the job functions.
2. Leadership motivates, coaches, and develops people to complete the processes or work efficiently. It involves the ability to create or improve job satisfaction. You can be a manager without being a leader.
Business Books, A Great Tool
I was unhappy as a manager without attempting to be a better leader, hence the years of reading business books, studying, and trying to understand how to improve my leadership skills. Did I achieve my goal? Some would say yes, and some would say no. You will not be a wonderful leader to everyone. Remember, egos are part of human nature, and some people look for reasons for their poor performance instead of accepting responsibility. I still have former employees who call occasionally and thank me for helping them become better managers and leaders.
Some helpful business books include Traction, Get a Grip, Good to Great, Built to Last, Atomic Habits, Measure What Matters, Scaling Up, Never Split the Difference, and Rocket Fuel, to name a few.A great resource for several helpful business tools is: EOS – Entrepreneurial Operating System for Businesses, home of Traction tools & library
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