Often negative connotations come into mind, when thinking of the term manage, as in manage your budget, manage your hair, or manage an unruly child. Manage, as defined by Webster's New World Dictionary, defines manage as “to train (a horse) in his paces ... to control the movement or behavior of; handle, manipulate” (1980). There are a total of fourteen lines dedicated to the definition of “manage”.
The Definition of Lead
On the other hand, there is nearly an entire column used to define “lead” the transitive verb associated with leadership “to travel, to show the way, or direct the course of, by going along with; conduct; guide... (1980). “Leading” is listed as one of the four functions of management. The four functions are “planning, organizing, leading, and controlling” ((2004). As cited in the text, leading is essential in functioning as an effective manager.
David and Goliath
Amazing stories have stood out in our history lessons spanning the lifetimes of our ancestors and ours depicting various leaders and their selflessness and heroism. These stories continue to motivate and inspire us to achieve greatness. When we think of leaders, we think of David, who as a small lad, stood up against the feared giant, Goliath, and killed him. Although the odds were very much against him, he rose up to the challenge, and conquered the enemy. In one courageous move, he inspired armies to follow him. Had he been a manager and
not a leader, would the goal have been accomplished?
Vision
A leader has vision. David envisioned Goliath defeated. In his mind's eye, he saw the victory. A manager, plans things out, and reviews his plans. There is always plan “A” and plan “B” in case plan “A” doesn't work.
He Organizes
It is his job to recruit the type of workforce needed to the job site, and then to specify job duties, allocate resources, and maximize work conditions to achieve the highest level of potential possible (2004).
He Motivates
He must then work closely with his staff in order to teach and motivate them. He needs to be able to not only share his vision, but demonstrate it.
He Leads by Example
This is where his leadership skills come into play. Managers “talk the talk”, but leaders “walk the walk”. Telling staff to be to work at a certain time, when management strolls in at whatever time they feel like, is not demonstrating true leadership. A leader is a part of the team, and as such works side by side with the team members.
Leaders Listen
The leaders communicate, and listen effectively to other staff. They appreciate the input and insight.
Leaders are Flexible
The fourth function of management is controlling. This is used to monitor progress, and implement changes when necessary to be certain that the team is going in the right direction.
When progress is not properly gauged, it becomes impossible to judge whether the goal is being met. While a manager is measuring progress, and making whatever changes need made, a leader is progressing with the team, and can make the changes instantaneously.
Leaders are Observant
Managers have different options in resolving issues, such as progressive discipline: warning, writing up and finally terminating. In the event of terminating staff, they now have to deal with retraining a new staff member, and easing the fears of the remaining staff members, who are wondering if they will be terminated next. Leaders, on the other hand, work closely with their staff, and in doing so, may have seen the issue that needed resolved long ago. Perhaps, it was something that could have been worked out easily, with further instruction, resifting of duties or a rescheduling of hours. If that was the case in resolving the issue beforehand, the fired individual would have become a more loyal and dedicated staff member, who would now be willing to give 100%, and remaining staff would not be working in fear, and would feel renewed dedication to their tasks.
Leaders are Team Players
While working closely with the leader, the team catches his spirit, and comes to work feeling motivated to perform well. Work does not feel like another four letter word, something dreaded, but as an enjoyable task. Attendance will improve, as will work production.
People, who are stressed, have higher overall incidents of illness, which is sometimes created by a stressful work environment. Even healthy people put their health at risk, by being involved in constant conditions of stress, as reported by Jennifer Warner in
WebMD. “Studies show people with medical conditions such as heart disease, mental illness, or other chronic diseases are most vulnerable to the negative consequences of stress, but healthy people are also at risk” (2005).She goes on to advise that constant stress can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and even death. There are many research studies relating to illness and stress.
Another site describes how a hormone referred to as neuropeptide
Y is released by the body during periods of stress. One of the Garvan Institute in Sydney's researchers, Professor Herzog, stated “And it's known for example that it (neuropeptide Y) regulates blood pressure and heart rates so your heart rates go up... Now we have proven without doubt that there is a direct link and that stress can weaken the immune system that makes you more vulnerable when you for example have a cold or flu and even the more serious situations such as cancer can be enhanced in these situations” (2005).
Leaders Care
This is another compelling reason to enlist true leaders, as managers in an organization. Leaders embody compassion, and instill vision. Leaders are highly motivated, have a basic knowledge of the job that needs to be done and the requirements needed to perform that job. A leader can draw on experience, or knows how to tap into the knowledge needed to perform the assignment. He or she has enthusiasm and drive. A manager might instruct staff to do an assignment, but a leader knows how to do that assignment, and leads by example. A leader would not ask you to do something unethical, or unfair, because they have your best interest at heart, and that of the organization. When staff's interests are overlooked in order to achieve a goal, the goal becomes skewed.
Leaders Train Leaders
A goal must be a worthy mission, and staff will unite to pursue the goal, when lead by a leader, a leader who bears in mind the cost and the prize. If the cost is too high for just one member, the team is unable to perform as well as it could. The prize is all the more glorious, when each member has followed their leader to the finish line, and received the trophy. Up from the ranks, new leaders will emerge, to replace the existing leader, not from confrontations, but because the leader has successfully challenged and taught. The current leader may feel the need to involve their selves with an even greater challenge, as they move up the corporate ladder or endeavor to change career paths.
