"Manage" comes from the Latin word, manus, for hand. This applies to machine, systems, etc.
Lead is an action given to a person or people.
If a person manages people, this person will not be their leader for long. If a person leads people, they will follow.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Monday, May 7, 2007
Trait Theory
Stogdill is one the main scholars of trait theory appraoch to leadership. Two of Stogdill's surveys established certain traits which were consistent of leaders.
The first survey concluded: intelligence, alertness, insight, responsibility, initiative, persistence, self-confidence, and sociability were traits found among leaders. These traits did not automatically make a person a leader. The person also needed the right situation (a leadership opportunity) and work with others.
The second survey added more traits which included: drive, vigor and persistence inpursuit of goals, venturesomeness and originality in problem-solving, personal identity, willingness to accept consequence for actions and decisions, ability to influence another person's behavior.
These surveys took place from the 1930s-1950s.
Other scolars of the trait approach were: Mann, Lord, and Kirkpatrick and Locke.
There are five traits in the contemporary studies of leadership: intelligence, self-confidence, determination, integrity, and sociability. The traits have not changed much over the decades of trait research. Of course, this is one approach to leadership. There are more and these will be written about in days to come.
The first survey concluded: intelligence, alertness, insight, responsibility, initiative, persistence, self-confidence, and sociability were traits found among leaders. These traits did not automatically make a person a leader. The person also needed the right situation (a leadership opportunity) and work with others.
The second survey added more traits which included: drive, vigor and persistence inpursuit of goals, venturesomeness and originality in problem-solving, personal identity, willingness to accept consequence for actions and decisions, ability to influence another person's behavior.
These surveys took place from the 1930s-1950s.
Other scolars of the trait approach were: Mann, Lord, and Kirkpatrick and Locke.
There are five traits in the contemporary studies of leadership: intelligence, self-confidence, determination, integrity, and sociability. The traits have not changed much over the decades of trait research. Of course, this is one approach to leadership. There are more and these will be written about in days to come.
Saturday, May 5, 2007
New VP of Marketing receives kind welcome on blog
Randy Tinseth earned VP of Marketing for Boeing in April. Part in parcel of the job is keeping up the blog. His May 3rd entry received kind words as he takes the new reigns.
Just an example of an executive using a blog and people taking notice. Good luck Randy Tinseth, share your leadership thoughts at Boeing.
Just an example of an executive using a blog and people taking notice. Good luck Randy Tinseth, share your leadership thoughts at Boeing.
Friday, May 4, 2007
"Isn't ironic..."
Just a thought. The Communist regime in Poland fell inpart of Lech Walesa's solidarity movement. A word that means union and fellowship. Here is a definition.
Communnism would seem to mean a similar definition in governmental terms. History's ironies are interesting.
Anyways, leaders should think about the principles of solidarity. Basically, although a leader may be in a higher position, she should realize that she is not worth more in the sense of human value. This recognition should lead the leader to see the needs, desires, likes, strengths, and most importantly talents of her followers and assign roles consistent with those. Ego will need to step out the door so that the leader will be able to help others in a genuine way.
Communnism would seem to mean a similar definition in governmental terms. History's ironies are interesting.
Anyways, leaders should think about the principles of solidarity. Basically, although a leader may be in a higher position, she should realize that she is not worth more in the sense of human value. This recognition should lead the leader to see the needs, desires, likes, strengths, and most importantly talents of her followers and assign roles consistent with those. Ego will need to step out the door so that the leader will be able to help others in a genuine way.
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Makes no cents
Wally Bock at Three Star Leadership has a good piece up on a problem that faces many front line managers and supervisors: lack of skill development. As he mentions, a Gallup study showed that people leave managers, not companies and work production and job satisfaction are linked to the skill of a manager to find a role that fits an employees talent. These can be taught, should be taught, and are not being taught.
I think it may be a problem because training is often seen as a benefit for working at a company. Training and development are not really benefits. Vacation, insurance coverage for an employees family, and season tickets to the Spurs are benefits. Training is really for the success of the company. Maybe this is why many trainers and OD practioners have a problem with ROI. It is seen as a benefit, an add on, extra. If seen as a way to enhance the skills of a manager, supervisor, or lead then the ROI would be much more evident. People transferring from front line into manager roles probably do not have the training to lead and read people.
ROI for training: More spending for training = Huge profits. This is assuming that the training team is good.
Example: Rackspace does a good job training. Mr. Henry Sauer, dean of Rackspace University, has written a good article on setting up a training department. One of his points is very good, "Professional development training encompasses courses that improve employees' ability to perform their jobs including managerial training, teamwork training, business presentation skills, etc." Rackspace was a small managed hosting company only five years ago and has increased in size to 1400 Rackers, offices internationally, and still holds the company culture it is branded by: fanatical customer support, results first, embracing change, passion for work, promise keeping, treating others as friends and family. These are not easy to train, but Rackspace has been successful in the past. Hats off to Mr. Sauer, Ms. Staci Marshall, and the Rack U team!
I think it may be a problem because training is often seen as a benefit for working at a company. Training and development are not really benefits. Vacation, insurance coverage for an employees family, and season tickets to the Spurs are benefits. Training is really for the success of the company. Maybe this is why many trainers and OD practioners have a problem with ROI. It is seen as a benefit, an add on, extra. If seen as a way to enhance the skills of a manager, supervisor, or lead then the ROI would be much more evident. People transferring from front line into manager roles probably do not have the training to lead and read people.
ROI for training: More spending for training = Huge profits. This is assuming that the training team is good.
Example: Rackspace does a good job training. Mr. Henry Sauer, dean of Rackspace University, has written a good article on setting up a training department. One of his points is very good, "Professional development training encompasses courses that improve employees' ability to perform their jobs including managerial training, teamwork training, business presentation skills, etc." Rackspace was a small managed hosting company only five years ago and has increased in size to 1400 Rackers, offices internationally, and still holds the company culture it is branded by: fanatical customer support, results first, embracing change, passion for work, promise keeping, treating others as friends and family. These are not easy to train, but Rackspace has been successful in the past. Hats off to Mr. Sauer, Ms. Staci Marshall, and the Rack U team!
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
List your leadership book recommendations!
I am searching for leadership books that have impressed you and made a difference in the way you view your organization, co-workers, followers, etc.
Blogging CEO mentions family
I really enjoy reading a leader's blog when he mentions family. It really adds a personal touch, a human side, a face of sorts to the leader. Plus, I may get some tips on raising my own children. Mark Cuban, CEO of the Dallas Mavericks does this here.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Reason and judgment from the classics
Tacitus said, "Reason and judgment are the qualities of a leader." Without these, the leader lives in another world. Reason gives the leader a real sense of the world. Judgment gives the leader the ability to choose between right/wrong, right/right, and wrong/wrong.
Situations
Right and Wrong: To discriminate on the basis of sex, religion, race, etc.
Right and Right: Should I give to this or that charity? Which all-star should I promote? Who will be in the starting lineup when I have 10 great players?
Wrong and Wrong: When two wrongs are present, one must be chosen, and the leader chooses the lesser of the two wrongs.
Situations
Right and Wrong: To discriminate on the basis of sex, religion, race, etc.
Right and Right: Should I give to this or that charity? Which all-star should I promote? Who will be in the starting lineup when I have 10 great players?
Wrong and Wrong: When two wrongs are present, one must be chosen, and the leader chooses the lesser of the two wrongs.
CEO: try the training
From Talking Story with Say Leadership Coaching, try leading a training session for your followers. I would love to see the faces of new managers sitting in a training room expecting someone from HR to pop in and begin the session and then they see the CEO walk in and lead the group on what he thinks new managers ought to be doing. Just the fact the CEO took the time to do this would be impressive for the new managers. It would impress me.
For your networking needs...
Linkedin will help with networking. Go. Sign up. Invite. Learn.
Linkedin blog will also give good advice on the use of the website.
Linkedin blog will also give good advice on the use of the website.
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