justplainbil

Just Plain Bill

Leader vs. Manager

A recent headline has informed us of yet another resignation or termination by a leader of a successful and relatively new company. Uber, the immensely popular alternative transportation option, is just the latest example of when a great idea becomes a less-than successful company, due, in great part, to questionable management practices and a hostile, even toxic work environment.

Many studies of organizational effectiveness focus on the differences between “management”, and “leadership.” The work of James Kouzes and Barry Posner, authors of the best-selling book, The Leadership Challenge, helps us understand the critical differences between management and leadership. It’s been said that managers talk, while leaders listen.

A Harvard Business Review article (08/02/13), Three Difference

Between Managers and Leaders, by Vineet Nayar, identifies the

following differences:

•    -   Counting value vs. Creating value

•     -   Circles of influence vs. Circles of power

•        Leading people vs. Managing work

This excellent article goes on to provide a concise summary and comparison of the differences.

Upon reading their findings, the question arises whether one can be both a manager and leader at the same time.

Returning to the current headlines, I feel that problems will continue to arise as long as these differences are not recognized. Add to this conundrum the role ego plays, mixed with a fair share of arrogance, and you have the recipe for failure.

Not sure what can be done to break this cycle that often leads to failure, but perhaps the actions taken by Uber’s investors can serve as a fail-safe option.

It appears money “talks” when reason fails.