“There is a profound difference between management and leadership, and both are important. To manage means to bring about, to accomplish, to have charge of or responsibility for, to conduct. Leading is influencing, guiding in a direction, course, action, opinion. The distinction is crucial.”
– Warren Bennis
This week a new hero was born. Richard Phillips, captain of the Maersk Alabama, who was held hostage by pirates after their attempt to hijack his ship failed.
I’ve thought a lot about Philips this week. Mostly, I considered his decision to sacrifice himself for his crew and how that selfless action changed the lives of so many people.
I reflected on the day-to-day management duties of running a ship and leading a crew. And I questioned why, with all the recent pirate attacks, the outcome of this seizure was different. It came down to management vs. leadership.
It’s a common belief that management and leadership are the same role. They’re not. You can be a good manager, but that doesn’t guarantee leadership success. And it’s far easier to develop managerial skills in emerging leaders than to foster profound leadership capabilities in competent managers.
To help me better explain the differences between management and leadership, I turned to Warren Bennis, author of “Leaders: The Strategies for Taking Charge.” The book, provided example after example. Here are my Top 10:
| Managers |
Leaders |
| Avert threats |
Seize opportunities |
| Seek order |
Achieve goals |
| Focus on systems and structure |
Focus on developing people |
| Have short-range view |
Have long-range perspective |
| Ask "How and When? |
Ask "What and Why?" |
| Eyes on bottom line |
Eyes on the horizon |
| Look for efficiency |
Strive for effectiveness |
| Accepts status quo |
Challenges status quo |
| Does things right |
Does the right things |
| Have a career |
Have a calling |
Captain Richard Phillips demonstrated character, showed imagination and displayed passion while held captive on the lifeboat. His day-to-day actions leading up to the attack is a big reason why this situation was resolved successfully. He was able to generate and sustain the trust of his crew – they followed his vision throughout this ordeal.
Do you find yourself spending the majority of your time managing or leading? And are you happy with your answer?
Posted on
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
by Sean Taylor Simpson
filed under