Just Plain Bill
The differences between a Boss and a
Leader
I love the quote
attributed to Michael Dell, of Dell Computer: “Try not to be the smartest person in the room. And if you are, I
suggest you invite smarter people or find a different room.”
I remember a
similar statement made by the Sales and Marketing Vice-President at Esurance, the last company for which I
worked. His name is Tom Capp and he spoke to my Emerging Leader seminar for
prospective managers: “Don’t be afraid to
hire people who are smarter than you.”
While working in
the area of Quality Circles for Bank of America, I became intrigued by the
extensive work of W. Edwards Deming. Deming
contributed a wealth of invaluable perspective and theory concerning the
management of people in the workforce:
“The greatest
waste … is failure to use the abilities of people…to learn about their
frustrations and about the contributions that they are eager to make.”
And
“…most troubles and most
possibilities for improvement add up to proportions something like this:
-94% belong to the system (the
responsibility of management)
-6% are
attributable to special causes.”
(http://demingcollaboration.com/deming-quotes/)
Deming felt the
majority of problems in organizations are a result of management overreach,
micro-management, or other leadership weaknesses. Deficiencies causing the
problems are deeply rooted in management’s guidance methods.
BOSS LEADER
Drives employees Coaches employees
Depends on authority Depends on
goodwill
Inspires fear Generates
enthusiasm
Says “I” Says “we”
Places blame for the breakdown Fixes
the breakdown
Knows how it’s done Shows how
it’s done
Uses people/Takes credit Develops
people/Gives credit
Commands Asks
Says “Go” Says “Let’s
go”
To be continued, including the impact of micro-management…
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