Are all managers' leaders?

Are all leaders' managers?

by Bill Ress

The answer to both questions is NO, but managers need to be leaders. The people they work with need vision and guidance to accomplish their organization's goals and targets. At the same time, people who have become leaders need to be good managers of the resources entrusted to them.

Almost everyone has some idea about what leadership is or isn't. Through our experience, we have developed ideas as well.

A leader may have been given the title or informally assumed a leadership role. Leaders can be people officially charged with the responsibility of leadership such as military commanders, or charge nurses. On occasion leadership is unexpectedly thrust upon someone, like Mel Gibson's character in the film, "The Patriot."

Mark LeBlanc, author of "Growing Your Business," states "Leaders today must lead with more influence. Managers must turn into leaders for more impact... Hype is out. Anyone involved in service must serve at a higher level. People need to laugh. Organizations must do whatever it takes to boost morale and inspire their people to keep going in times of challenge and change."

Leaders are people we admire and look to for guidance. Most of us could easily come up with an inventory of leadership traits and characteristics. Listed below are leadership traits some people and organizations feel are necessary for people to succeed as leaders.

Washington State Hospital Association's "Governing Board Orientation Manual on Hospital Management and Administration" suggests using the following criteria when an organization is hiring a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

• Personal factors - such as character, stability, dependability, initiative, decisiveness, ability to conceptualize and articulate ideas
• Human relations skills - motivation, leadership, sensitivity, communications, team building
  
• Managerial skills
  
• Involvement in professional and community activities
  
• Track record - whether the candidate has turned a profit, helped achieve growth and shown community benefit and support
  

The CEO of any health care organization is the pivotal leader that all subordinates look to for guidance in performing their day-to-day responsibilities. This is true from the part-time maintenance worker to the charge nurse working on a unit to the people directly reporting to the CEO, as well as all workers in between. It doesn't matter if the employee has never met the CEO in person.

How the CEO behaves, the strategies the CEO champions, the attitudes he or she brings to the organization (positive or negative, consciously or subconsciously) will permeate the entire organization. This will bring about behaviors from the workers that are "in line" with the CEO's values.

Education World, an Internet magazine for educators, suggests that to be successful the following leadership qualities are needed for school principals:

1. Has a stated vision for the school and a plan to achieve that vision.
2. Clearly states goals and expectations for students, staff, and parents.
3. Is visible -- gets out of the office; is seen all over the school.
4. Is trustworthy and straight with students and staff.
5. Helps develop leadership skills in others.
6. Develops strong teachers; cultivates good teaching practice.
7. Shows that he or she is not in charge alone; and involves others in decision-making.
8. Has a sense of humor.
9. Acts as a role model for students and staff.
10. Offers meaningful kindness' and kudos to staff and students.

The leadership characteristics listed below come from www.coachlikeapro.tripod.com (link is no longer valid).

"Basketball Coaching - In Search of Excellence Basketball Leadership Traits of Great Players"

Leadership is what separates the Winners from the Losers

Qualities of a Leader

1. Does what's right
2. Controlled by values
3. Loyal to the bitter end
4. Looks for solutions
5. Perseveres when challenged
6. Relies on internal motivation
7. Words and actions agree
8. Self-confident
9. Choices add up to success

For the United States Marine Corp the following character traits are important indicators of a Marine's leadership capability:

1. Justice
2. Judgment
3. Dependability
4. Initiative
5. Decisiveness
6. Tact
7. Integrity
8. Enthusiasm
9. Bearing
10. Unselfishness
11. Courage
12. Knowledge
13. Loyalty
14. Endurance

The Marine Corp teaches Marine leaders to apply the 11 principles, listed below, when exercising his or her leadership:

1. Know yourself and seek self-improvement.
2. Be technically and tactically proficient.
3. Know your Marines and look out for their welfare.
4. Keep your Marines informed.
5. Set the example.
6. Ensure the task is understood, supervised, and accomplished.
7. Train your Marines as a team.
8. Make sound and timely decisions.
9. Develop a sense of responsibility among your subordinates.
10. Employ your command in accordance with its capabilities.
11. Seek responsibility and take responsibility for your actions.

In Pam Farrel's book, "Women of Influence," she recounts the following common leadership traits observed in women ranging from Florence Nightingale, Susan B. Anthony and Harriet Tubman to Dr. Ida Scudder, one of the first American female physicians in India, and Catherine Booth, a founder of the Salvation Army. These exceptional women were:

1. Impassioned
2. Individual
3. Intimate with God
4. Idealistic
5. Intense
6. Interdependent on friends and family
7. Take initiative
8. Have integrity
9. Inquiring
10. Infectious in their desire to follow God.

Managers are people who do things right, while leaders are people who do the right thing.

Warren Bennis, Ph.D. "On Becoming a Leader"

Leaders are people who stand out from the crowd. They are the inquirers and searchers finding new and better ways to succeed, while at the same time holding firm to their convictions and beliefs. They are the individuals who distribute the organization's vision and mission to the front-line workers.

Looking at the various traits and principles discussed here, how do your beliefs and behaviors reflect your leadership opportunities?

Are you a leader?

Is the time to become one now?