So the question came up from my last post:
How do we create a company culture when the manager does not really care about their employee’s good? What is the motivation for a manager to really want to invest in the life of his employee?
In my opinion this is really based on two things:
- Vision
- Values
Before we go there I want to look at what it means to be a leader and discuss what leadership is all about. Let’s take a moment to talk about the difference between management and leadership. Some say that they don’t manage…they lead. Management has taken on a bad stigma as of late but why? What is the difference?
I see the difference being:
- Leading is leading people to be better individuals. The emphasis being on the people being lead. The focus of leadership isn’t what but who.
- Managing is making sure a process get’s accomplished. The emphasis here is would be upon the tasks at end. The focus of management isn’t who but what.
The problem with this is that I don’t believe you can effectively lead people without managing a process, so I don’t believe that you can truly separate the two. You need both of styles of leadership. Generally “managing the process” becomes the focus of many organizations or managers and not leading people. The completion of the task becomes secondary to leading our people and inspiring them to greatness.
So what is leadership?
Leadership is what happens when, through my interaction with my team, I am inspiring my people to greatness. Leadership happens when I as a leader help my employees or team to become better individuals. Leadership is all about pouring into their lives in order to see them grow and succeed. Leadership happens when I can honestly say that I am investing in the lives of my team.
The reality is that while my team is growing personally, they are impacting the company in a positive way as well.
Since leadership is about success and growth, it does require that we manage a process. Managing a process correctly requires that the leader understand how that process relates to vision or the purpose of the organization. Without vision there is no meaning or standard of decision making to make sure that vision comes about.
What is vision?
Vision is that which we aspire to attain. It’s the direction which an organization or company is heading. It is the way that we’re going, the path that we are on, and the end goal that we want to see happen. It is not simply “who we hope to be one day” but a clear idea of where we are going, with steps along the way to help us get there.
However you want to define it, vision is the purpose of the company or organization.
Without vision, a leader is simply taking a stroll. Without vision, a leader is simply taking a walk with followers strolling aimlessly along with no direction, no purpose.
The problem with vision is that it can limit our growth if it is not large enough and it can frustrate the organization if it is too high and lofty. A vision must be clear, concise, and actionable. That is not to say that a small vision can’t be part of the process to accomplish the larger vision and that a large vision cannot be attained with careful planning and preparation…both can be true.
Vision should be something that is clearly communicated inside the organization and something that everyone can get behind and support. Without alignment, the vision is not going to easily get off the ground.
Vision is key to effectively leading our employees to realize their greatness and the greatness of the company.
Vision helps us as leaders figure out:
- where we need to go
- what we need to do to get there
- how we’re doing along the way
Vision provides:
- unity for all within the company or organization
- energy and drive to see the company move forward
- accountability and
That’s where values come into play and that is for another post.
But before we go, here are a few questions to consider:
- What is your vision?
- Is it greater than just the bottom line?
- Do your employees understand your vision and do they have ownership?
- If your vision isn’t where it needs to be, are you willing to make changes in order to get back on track?
droberson[at]zappos[dot]com | @zappos_drob| www.zapposinsights.com
