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A Fast Learner's Guide to Leadership
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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.
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