Learning the Language of Leadership
WHAT IS A
LEADER?
In business circles
the term leader is often heard. It seems, therefore, that this term
should be easy to define. Unfortunately, the term leader, like other
business terms like quality and team, defies an easy
definition. There are many leaders, but there is no universally accepted
definition for the terms leader and leadership. Sometimes the
terms manager and leader are used interchangeably. There are,
however, some important differences between managers and leaders.
One way to illustrate this difference is
by looking at what leaders and managers do. Effective managers tend to
reach goals and conduct business well -- it has been said that managers "do
things right." Leaders, on the other hand, are not as concerned with what
they do, as they are with how it is done -- it has been said that leaders
"do the right things."
Another way to show the difference between
managers and leaders look at their primary area of focus. Managers are
concerned primarily with managing things. Leaders, on the other
hand, are show concern for leading people.
LEADERS
AND WHAT THEY DO
One way to define leadership and leaders
is by the work they do. Internationally recognized business trainer Mark
Sanborn, in
Teambuilt, writes that "leadership is the ability to help
individuals or organizations to surpass themselves." Brittain's leading
business commentator, Charles Handy, in the book Frontiers of Leadership,
says that "A leader shapes and shares a vision which gives point to the
work of others."
Richard S. Wellins, in Training and Development
magazine, wrote that the role of the leader is to teach teams how to lead
themselves. Carl E. Larson, and Frank M. J. LaFasto, who researched
teambuilding in 75 companies for their book
Teamwork, said that a
team leader establishes a vision for the future, creates change, and
unleashes the energy and talents of contributing members.