An effective manager as a dynamic leader
TO LEAD from the front with empowering courage and awe-aspiring positivism, to inspire to excel and tower with accomplishment, to give strength to face difficulties with resolve, and the conviction that with patience and perseverance there will be light - are the hallmarks of a leader. Leaders instil great vision, but leaders are rare, even in the corporate world. What one finds that is commonplace and essential before the leader is the inimitable - manager. Indeed, whilst leaders aspire to reach great heights, managers work towards getting the basics right. If leaders set lofty goals, managers delve into the details and assiduously follow procedure, if leaders encourage creativity, managers set rules and organise effectively. Both are inimitable to the workplace and it is when the qualities of an effective manager and dynamic leader combine that astounding success results. What one needs then is to maintain an equitable balance between the skills of an organised, diligent manager and an inspiring, visionary leader.
Deborah Blagg and Susan Young from The Harvard Business School Working Knowledge, state, that "Some great managers struggle with change and fail to be great leaders, while a great leader might fail to create a sense of stability in an organisation and not measure up as a manager". (What Makes A Good Leader, April, 2001) What does one need then? HBS professor David Thomas points out that, "Increasingly the people who are the most effective are those who essentially are both managers and leaders."(What Makes a Good Leader, Blagg and Young, The Harvard Business School Working Knowledge April, 2001).
Here are some pointers on how to be a successful leader and a skilled manager:
Vision & procedure:
Leaders dream of unimaginable goals and move with the power of their vision. Managers work within set organisational goals, and toil within the parameters.
Only a combination of the two can yield definite success. Managers, who aspire to be leaders, must move beyond their comfort zones, and seek new possibilities, imagine new solutions, and set goals never set before. Leaders with high goals should diligently endeavour to achieve their vision.
People skills:
It is people, who make the organisation and how we deal with others shapes the entire foundation of the workplace. Giving basic orders ensures orderly functioning. However, it is encouraging out-of the box thinking that leads to ingenuity and innovation.
Both have their advantages. Managers allocate responsibilities and get work done. Nevertheless, it is in inspiring others to be the best that true workmanship lies.
Leaders don't order, rather they are followed out of free will. Of course one does need to allocate duties. It would be better that while delegating work, one harnesses every individual's strengths and unique capabilities.
This is possible only if the worker's strength and preferences are discerned before assigning them work. Hence, the workers will have a personal incentive to work for every goal.
Leading & managing:
Any aspiration towards success begins with introspection and work on the self so it is when one aims to be a dynamic leader or an effective manager. One has to embody the principles of leadership and managerial skills that one aims to propagate. Indeed, it is by example that people lead and drive others towards success. So, to succeed be organised, manage your time well, and face challenges with a smile.
To further your cause, reflect on the skills you need and your personality type. There are various management and leadership styles, choose one that suits you best. Do not try to emulate a leader and manager whose personality type is not similar to yours. However, pay attention to the skills you need to work upon. Work towards learning them be it listening, speaking or mentoring.
Managing your skills is as important as managing those of others. When managing other's skills, try to use the skills your workforce possesses to the optimum not just to get the task done, but to be creative and win.
Giving orders:
Efficient managers can comprehend well. One need not say everything he feels he knows. You will have to know your audience and speak to them in a manner they will be most receptive to. States retired professor from Harvard Business School, John Kotter,"Great communicators have an appreciation for positioning.
They understand the people they're trying to reach and what they can and can't hear." With a vision to inspire, and diligent procedures, with people skills that support as well as motivate, by giving clear instructions and communicating with conviction, and most importantly with managerial skills and dynamics of working in tandem, one becomes an excellent leader. Result? Astounding success.
UZMA HYDER
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