When it comes to running your business, would you rather have a leader or manager in charge? Seems like a trick question until you really think about it. However, it is best to have someone who can balance both the traits of a leader and a manager and work in the business while also working on the growth of the business.<\/p>\n
A leader guides or directs. We often think of leaders setting behind large mahogany desks in big cushy chairs. They set budgets, give inspirational talks at the company\u2019s monthly meetings and cheer on the employees who have reached milestones. Everyone wants to be an all-powerful leader.<\/p>\n
A manager on the other hand, sets among the employees in a not so cushy chair, and lives by the budgets set forth for them. They often oversee one team or division of the company, and make sure that tasks are assigned and completed on time, team goals are met. Managing can sound dreary and sometimes like the controlling force behind the worker bees.<\/p>\n
However, both leaders and managers are needed in successful business settings. Are you a leader or a manager? The problem with this either-or thinking is that both are needed in a well-run enterprise.<\/p>\n
According to a post at www.inpserity.com: \u201cLeaders focus on high-level objectives such as inspiring and motivating the team to success, which can be exciting and powerful. Managers focus on organizing, planning and overseeing daily operations and that can sound mundane.\u201d<\/p>\n
You might be thinking back to Lisa\u2019s letter, and wondering, in your position, should you be working in the business or on the business. The answer is, both.<\/p>\n
A well-balanced supervisor, regardless of title, will have some traits of both a leader and a manager. Although a manager\u2019s first priority is to make sure employees get their job complete in an efficient order \u2013 working in the business; it is also important to the employees to hear from their manager positive feedback on how they accomplished the task \u2013 working on the business. That is a good example of how a supervisor needs to balance the roles of both manager and leader.<\/p>\n
Here are six questions for you to ask yourself, according to Insperity. com, to help you balance your manager-leader role to make your employees and your business more efficient.<\/p>\n
1. Is the work getting done well without my intervention?<\/strong> If yes, concentrate on motivating the team to keep performing well. If not, put on your manager hat and ask the team what\u2019s getting in the way of better performance, then help them implement changes.<\/p>\n 2.\u00a0Do you focus on results or the process (how the job got done)?<\/strong> If you focus on results, good for you. That\u2019s what is most important. If you tend to focus on process more than results, challenge yourself to become more comfortable with the reality that many alternatives may exist to getting the same result.<\/p>\n 3.\u00a0Do colleagues in other parts of the organization come to you for advice?<\/strong> If yes, you\u2019re probably seen as a leader. If not, look at what you can change to support and inspire others. What do you spend the most time talking about? The tasks at hand, processes and deadlines, or the big picture and strategy? Managers need to discuss both but pay attention to whether you\u2019re leaning too hard one direction or the other.<\/p>\n 4.\u00a0What do you spend the most time talking about?<\/strong> The tasks at hand, processes and deadlines, or the big picture and strategy? Managers need to discuss both but pay attention to whether you\u2019re leaning too hard one direction or the other.<\/p>\n