Recently I spoke to a client discussing the differences between ‘managing’ and ‘leading’.
He was frustrated that his managers were great ‘doers’ and ‘directors’ but had no idea as to engage their respective people. Good people were walking out the door – the ‘deadwood’ remained.
Understanding How To Lead Effectively
This is a challenge that Bridgeworks faces with many clients and businesses. The solution comes in helping clients understand the difference between ‘managing’ and ‘leading’.
It’s like a pendulum – there are times you need to manage and times you need to lead. Do you understand the difference between the 2? Where is your pendulum?
Many years ago, James Balasco wrote a book “Flight of the Buffalo – Soaring to Excellence, Learning to let others Lead”
Most leaders act like head buffalos, giving orders and making decisions. Everyone else is a member of the herd, following instructions. Hard-driving head buffalos and their well-intentioned herd followers suffer the same fate as the buffalo on the plains: consistently outmanoeuvred by more nimble, quick-thinking competitors.
The book offers step-by-step advice on how to “Lead The Journey” from a herd of dependent, standing-around-waiting-for-instructions buffalo to a flock of inter-dependent, leadership seeking geese – all focused on delighting customers.
Balasco references leading business innovator Ralph Stayer who was CEO of Johnsonville Foods. Stayer is a courageous, pioneering CEO and the hero of Tom Peters best-selling video “The Leadership Alliance.”
Stayer earned “CEO of The Year Award” and leads what’s been called “The Most Advanced Employee Self-Managed Organization in America.”
Developing Inspiring Leaders
Bridgeworks specialises in facilitating the development of an engaged culture where teams can be effective and where inspiring leaders can take the organisation to the next level again and again.
Tell us about your organisation’s needs.
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