Got Leadership?
Posted: March 3, 2008, 06:22 PM by Leslie Grossman
Got Leadership? Who’s got it? How do you get it?
The word “leadership” has recently been batted about the media, especially as it relates to our current slate of political candidates. Journalists and opinion leaders are asking, “Does she/he have the right leadership style to lead America?” What exactly are they talking about?
I believe many of these reporters have two words mixed up – leadership and management. A great leader may not be a good manager, nor is a great manager necessarily a leader. Of course, when you’re running your own business, division or department, it’s quite handy to be both a leader and manager.
What is a leader? First and foremost, a leader must have followers – people who believe in the vision for which the leader takes a stand. The strength of the vision of great leaders like, Gandhi, FDR, Gloria Steinem, to name only a few, moves mountains, changes the world, inspires others to make their vision a reality. A great manager, on the other hand, knows how to get people to execute a strategy, is a motivator and a delegator. The effective manager ensures that goals are achieved by a carefully designed plan.
I don't know about you but I'd rather be an effective leader than a manager. Of course most great leaders need great managers or forgettaboutit! Each of us has the potential to hone our leadership skills. But first we must start with a vision or take a stand for what we believe in passionately. Take time today to think about what that is. Write it down. In fact, write it as an affirmation – as if it already exists. That’s the beginning of leadership!!
One great leader of the moment is Hillary Rodham Clinton. Some may call her angry, some may call her stubborn, but many women can definitely identify with her passion. I can personally relate to her lack of an easy going manner. Sometimes passion can be misunderstood. Senator Clinton has been passionate about creating better lives for all children since she was a young woman. Over the years, that vision has been extended from American children to the children of the world. Women are great leaders, but we’ve barely scratched the surface of how far our leadership can take us. Why is that? I think it is because women leaders are often misunderstood...by other women as often as by men. That's a shame. Because it is women, who have the innate capabilities, commitment and intuitive nature to lead the world to peace and prosperity. Leslie Grossman, Cofounder, Women's Leadership Exchange
Reader Comments
Posted: June 1, 2008, 09:19 AM by Susan Colantuono
While I agree that there's a problem with the use of the word "leadership", I think of it slightly differently. I define leadership this way: "Leadership is using the greatness in you to achieve and sustain extraordinary outcomes by engaging the greatness in others." As such, leadership manifests at all levels of an organization. How the lexicon gets in trouble is this - at any level (individual contributor, supervisory, management and executive) some people live up to that definition and some don't. Sadly, in America, research in the 70s and 80s on executives who succeeded in transforming their organizations resulted in them being labeled as "leaders" while those who failed (maintained the status quo) were labeled "managers". This dichotomy has not served women or men in their quests to become great leaders. Any manager or executive can be a leader, but not all are. In this era of rapid change, every manager, executive or entrepreneur is paid be a leader, but not all are. Unfortunately, in America, anyone in a management position is called a leader whether or not they meet the definition. To call any executive a "leader" - whether they are failing their company or living up to the definition does a disservice to everyone who aspires to great leadership. Two cents from the Founder of www.LeadingWomen.biz Lead On! Susan
Posted: March 16, 2008, 04:54 PM by Sharon Hobbs
I thought the article was apolitical, but obviously some didn't agree and if they want to unsubscribe that is their loss. I am curious to get to know a person better, that would not welcome debate and would voluntarily cut herself off from the people
that would be most interested in helping her grow as a person.
Some people are just slower to realize that there could be a greater cause than themselves. As my personal favorite John Lennon, says " Imagine."
Posted: March 5, 2008, 05:14 PM by Leslie Grossman
Thanks for all your comments to the blog. Please keep them coming. In reply to a few comments - - NO WLE is not affiliated with a party or a PAC. The WLE vision is to create more women leaders in the world...hence, the political season is a time that leadership is on our minds - political as well as business. For those who object to me mentioning Gloria Steinem or Hillary Clinton in my blog, I say it's your right to object. It's also my right to mention women whom I perceive as leaders. Remember, we may not agree with the views or positions of all leaders, but that doesn't mean they are not leaders. I think that if you asked most people to write down a list of women leaders, they would include both women, amongst others, on that list. If you are unaware that Gloria Steinem lead the modern women's rights movement, then you either weren't born yet or you have been living a sheltered life. One of our bloggers said she "thought this blog was apolitical". WLE is non partisan, but as is the tradition, blogs enable people to express their opinions. And I certainly welcome your's, including those who do not agree with me. Isn't America great? Leslie
Posted: March 5, 2008, 02:41 PM by Denise McVey
Regardless of political persuasion, it's hard to deny that Hillary Clinton is a great leader - which I find appropriate for a WLE blog. She does what I feel is one of the defining criteria of leadership: she hears others, but listens to herself.
Posted: March 4, 2008, 06:06 PM by Juli Kintzler
Everyone has an opinion and I don't mind listening. I have the right to make up my own mind and do. As for leadership and management, it is funny that I came to this blog at this moment. I was taking a break reading a very insightful book. Perhaps some have read it..."First Break All The Rules, What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently", by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman. I am just beginning to start my own roofing company. I feel it is important for me to be both a Leader and a Manager at this point. Anyway, it's a great book, should anyone be looking for a book about this subject.
Posted: March 4, 2008, 05:44 PM by Juli Kintzler
Everyone has an opinion and I don't mind listening. I have the right to make up my own mind and do. As for leadership and management, it is funny that I came to this blog at this moment. I was taking a break reading a very insightful book. Perhaps some have read it..."First Break All The Rules, What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently", by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman. I am just beginning to start my own roofing company. I feel it is important for me to be both a Leader and a Manager at this point. Anyway, it's a great book, should anyone be looking for a book about this subject.
Posted: March 4, 2008, 05:37 PM by Amy Stevens
While I do appreciate the analysis of leadership, and see the differences in leadership and management- I do also agree that the political tones are not appropriate for a business forum. I understand that blogs are the point of view of the writer, and that I have the ability to unsubscribe, and I'm very disappointed that I may have to do that! I had hoped to see information that brings us together as women business owners and leaders, but I'm afraid that wedges are again dividing us.
After the news today, I find any reference to Gloria Steinem as a leader completely unacceptable.
Please let me know if the WLE is affiliated with a party or PAC that I am unaware of.
Thank you,
Amy Stevens
Posted: March 4, 2008, 05:11 PM by Kare Anderson
Thoughtful article - kudos!
Methinks that leadership today resides in the ability
to bring out the best side (high-performing and happier) in others
so they can and want to accomplish more together than on their own.
- Kare Anderson
http://www.movingfrommetowe.com/
Posted: March 4, 2008, 01:10 PM by Susan Abrahamson
I believe (and have experienced many times, including in this presidential primary season) that women can be every bit as "sexist" at they often accuse men of being. In this regard, we can be our own worst enemies--to quote Pogo, "We have met the enemy, and he is us." I also don't believe in "blanket" statements...for example, I believe that probably as many men as women "have the innate capabilities, commitment and intuitive nature to lead the world to peace and prosperity." It depends upon the individual. Women are the first to howl when they are stereotyped, so it hardly seems like a smart move to stereotype men, either explicitly or implicitly.
Finally, I thought this blog was apolotical, but obviously I was mistaken.
Susan
