Are You a Leader or a Manager?

President Ike Eisenhower once demonstrated the difference between leadership and management to his cabinet by putting a piece of string in a straight line on the conference table. He then asked one of the attendees to put his finger on one end of the string and push it. The string, of course, bunched up in an ugly bundle. He then asked the man to pull the string with his finger on one end. The string straightened up in a nice neat line and followed the finger across the table. "This", said Ike "is the difference between managing and leading."

I love this visual example and use it often. Managing people is often pushing them to do what you want them to do. People resist being pushed and if you manage this way you usually end up with a chaotic organization. Leadership, on the other hand, is pulling people with you. When you pull people they usually follow and following the leader is what we really want out of our team.

How do you get people to follow you rather than resist? The two words that will help you the most are Honesty and Integrity. Have a clear vision of where the company is going. As corny as it sometimes sounds, a good, clear and well communicated mission statement wouldn't hurt either. Encourage your staff to set career and personal goals. Let them know when you are proud of them. Be interested in how your team thinks things can improve and let them express those ideas.

Mike Shannon is the owner of Shamrock Business Coaching, a coaching practice that helps business owners increase profits. You can visit Shamrock Business Coaching on the web at: http://www.ShamrockCoaching.com.

Mentor? Who Needs A Mentor?

Who needs a mentor. . .everyone who is truly serious... Read More

What is Leadership?

Leadership is what every organization needs and so few have... Read More

None of Us Arrived with an Owners Manual: A Fresh Perspective on the Drive to Lead (part 2)

Why didn't I get an Owner's ManualAfter a little while... Read More

People or Objects? - - You Decide

"How you think determines how you act. How you... Read More

Is Your Life Ready For Groundhog Day?

In the hit comedic movie Groundhog Day, Bill Murray's character,... Read More

Strengthening Leadership Development with Employees

Within every business lies a network of people who are... Read More

Leadership and Power - Being the Boss Doesnt Guarantee Either of Them

Some people mistakenly associate supervisory positions, or seats of power,... Read More

Leader is Not a Title

There is a steady flow of information in the form... Read More

Leadership Activity: How Leadership Agenda, Strategy, and Behaviors Shape Your Success!

"Forward, as occasion offers. Never look round to see whether... Read More

The Incandescence Of The Human Spirit

There lives within every individual a power, an energy, an... Read More

Character -- Why It Matters In Leaders

"Character is much easier kept than recovered." -Thomas Paine"The best... Read More

Leadership Training and Character

The vast majority of leadership training available to managers focuses... Read More

A Lasting Leadership Lesson: How One Leadership Talk By George Washington Saved The Revolution

A Lasting Leadership Lesson: How One Leadership Talk By George... Read More

Lead People...Manage Things

Master The Five Key Facets of High Performance LeadershipMany people... Read More

Leadership for the Successful Entrepreneur!

Why talk about leadership?"Leadership is important whether you a leader... Read More

Recommended Books on Leadership and Team Building

The single most important thing a leader can do is... Read More

Leadership

Webster's defines leadership as : "1. the office of position... Read More

Managing Monsters in Meetings - Part 2, Multiple Conversations

Side conversations ruin meetings by destroying focus and fragmenting participation.Approach... Read More

What Kind of Leader Are You?

You are a leader if someone is following you. This... Read More

Common Mistakes Extraordinary Leaders Dont Make

When people make a decision (either consciously or unconsciously) to... Read More

10 Ways to Develop Your Latent Leader

latent (adj.) ? Not visible or apparent, but capable of... Read More

Make the Most of Your Mentoring Relationships

Mentoring is one of the best ways to learn, to... Read More

Leadership Like Water-Water Canoeing

Although world business is undergoing historic changes, the prevailing view... Read More

Embracing Adversity for Achievement

"Show me someone who has done something worthwhile, and I'll... Read More

8 Questions to Ask if You Want to be a Better Leader

Those that have successfully made the transition from manager to... Read More