When is it best to just be a manager and not a leader?
Are you an aspiring leader, doing managerial work but aching to make a difference? Managers and leaders do similar work. We generally assign more glory to leaders because they are charged with taking the bold initiatives, while managers are expected to maintain the status quo, or reach new goals under the direction of a leader. Forward thinking organizations need managers as well as leaders. Managers are called on to monitor performance in routine areas; maintaining the system is needed, especially if you can manage well. Good managers help the organization keep going as well.
Perhaps you can serve as a “quiet leader,” one who serves in the middle levels of the organization, influencing the direction of your team in modest ways. “Quiet leaders” have been described by Harvard professor Badaracco in his 2002 book Leading Quietly. The quiet leader may not get the notice of the headline leader, yet may serve in an influential role, evaluating problems and advocating strategy.
If you are a quiet leader, you may not get the recognition as a leader. Quiet leadership is a position somewhat sheltered from the attacks that the identified leader feels. The quiet leader may be in a good position to emerge as a great leader for the organization.
How can you influence the organization to do well by its people? Use the power of influence to direct the interest and strategies. Pose the rationale for enlightened action in terms that make sense for the senior leader. Attitudes do not change easily, however you may get good results by focusing on the leader’s interest.
Prepare your mind. Continue pressing for your big purpose. Be patient, as you will be the leader someday.
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Categories: leader, influence, Career
Tags: leaders in transition Career Impact Coaching Steve Broe
This is an old question we get at frequently when talking about Leadership: are we excluding people not interested in investing themselves in that way? Is there another way to make a difference? Managing is, as you point out, no small feat! A good manager can make a difference for people by building possibilities into the everyday, by creating sustainability and a solid foundation to fall back on. We need to find new words to express followership, stewardship that will not sound like they are less-than-leadership roles. They are, in my mind, a necessary and effective way to scaffold the future. Thanks for your thoughtful post on the subject!
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Great observations, Monica. Some people are not ready to step into a leadership role, and yet contribute in a big way as a manager to the organization. I know that many effective leaders would be miserable managers. Organizations depend on good managers to make the system work. Many workers will depend on the combination of leadership and management to create a stable organization that is responsive to changes in the world. You are right, we ought not to leave a taint of "less-than-leaders" about the important work of managers.
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