Managers or Leaders

At a property level would you rather have an excellent manager or an excellent leader? Why?

Leader! A leader is someone who has the capacity to create a compelling vision that takes people to a new place, and to translate that vision into action. Leaders draw other people to them by enrolling them in their vision. What leaders do is inspire people, empower them. Do not get me wrong as a manager is equally important, but if one person does not have both qualities an you ask me then which one it is then it has to be the leader. The leader must provide a vision, a dream, a goal, a direction, an objective, a path.

I agree with Nate. A leader has the best interest of not only their community, but their staff at heart. While we all need to be managers when it comes to P&P, it is just as important that our teams see us a trusted leader. When you lead you inspire trust which leads to loyalty. In my experience the most important thing you can get from your staff is loyalty. I want to be a mentor for my staff, and to see them grow. Unfortunately I see managers who are afraid to share their knowledge with their team, I guess in fear of losing their own position. IMO when one of my staff members is promoted it is a positive reflection on me. As a leader it is my duty to help them achieve their career goals if it is in my power to do so. Happy and successful team members lead to a much happier community!

To build upon what Stephanie said leaders should not be afraid to share and to help their poeple advance. I had a lead inspector which always went above and beyond and I was approached by higher headquarters as they were interested in him and wanted to take him and give him a promotion. I could have stood in the way and cut him, but I did not. Do you know he turned down the job and said he wanted to stick with his team. I say this not as a reflection of me, but on this individual who was a leader of his team and wanted to keep his team together.

So to build upon this and I hate to do it but let's go to the Tim Tebow vs. Cam Newton debate. If you have a great leader who wins but a great manager who has the tools to win and more natural abilty, maybe raw talent....where do you choose? Do you base it off of what could possibly be or what is?

I think it would depend upon the situation. If you have a sight with staffing issues then you would probably want someone who can come in and lead the team. On the other hand if you have a site that is stable and just needs someone to manager then a manager would be ideal. I guess I have these mental pictures of what a manager and a leader look like. In my mind a manager spends much time in the office focusing on P&P, leasing issues and rule enforcement. A leader is out and about, involved with what's going on, pitching in where they are needed.

This is a topic I recently wrote about on my blog page and one I teach in workshops. Remember, there are distinct differences between leadership and management and every great manager has to have some leadership characteristics. It is clear that as you go up the chain of positions, you reverse the percentage of importance over leadership and management. There also leaders...and then there are great leaders. A manager takes people where they want to go. A leader takes them where they ought to be.

Leadership is about getting others to follow you, and in many cases leaders have others that handle management tasks they previously were doing. Great leaders surround themselves with other great people, empowering them and supporting them in the management tasks that are completed. Management is about managing time, resources, finances, assets, and people. Leadership is directing the tools so they and others have the ability and see direction in doing those same things.

To answer the question, I would rather have someone who has strong leadership qualities and characteristics. For a strong leader motivates and inspires them as Stephani stated, and helps them see the vision as stated by Nate. Management is climbing the wall of success. Leadership is making sure the ladder is leaning on the right wall. A similar analogy I use is, "Management is doing things right. Leadership is doing the right things."

Great discussion.

Lawrence, great analogy! I love it. I have to agree leadership is key. I think you all have covered the bases.

Thanks Michelle and good discussion going on.

Leader! Always a Leader! I can "manage" myself. A leader is someone who inspires, who leads by example, who walks the talk. I always tend to view someone who "manages" as a taskmaster, a micromanager.

John Maxwell, teaches a great leadership" Today Matters", fyi........