Are You a Leader or a Manager?

President Ike Eisenhower once demonstrated the difference between leadership and management to his cabinet by putting a piece of string in a straight line on the conference table. He then asked one of the attendees to put his finger on one end of the string and push it. The string, of course, bunched up in an ugly bundle. He then asked the man to pull the string with his finger on one end. The string straightened up in a nice neat line and followed the finger across the table. "This", said Ike "is the difference between managing and leading."

I love this visual example and use it often. Managing people is often pushing them to do what you want them to do. People resist being pushed and if you manage this way you usually end up with a chaotic organization. Leadership, on the other hand, is pulling people with you. When you pull people they usually follow and following the leader is what we really want out of our team.

How do you get people to follow you rather than resist? The two words that will help you the most are Honesty and Integrity. Have a clear vision of where the company is going. As corny as it sometimes sounds, a good, clear and well communicated mission statement wouldn't hurt either. Encourage your staff to set career and personal goals. Let them know when you are proud of them. Be interested in how your team thinks things can improve and let them express those ideas.

Mike Shannon is the owner of Shamrock Business Coaching, a coaching practice that helps business owners increase profits. You can visit Shamrock Business Coaching on the web at: http://www.ShamrockCoaching.com.

Get What You Want - Negotiating Skills for the Timid!

OK, I know this title sounds self-serving and hard nosed,... Read More

Leadership Development for Success

In today's highly competitive world, there is a lot of... Read More

Charismatic Leadership

What motivates people to work and to achieve? What circumstances... Read More

Dont Be a Complainer

Complaining. There's room for legitimate complaining, but if you let... Read More

Common Mistakes Extraordinary Leaders Dont Make

When people make a decision (either consciously or unconsciously) to... Read More

Get Angry And Then Get Results

Leadership is not about winning a popularity contest, it's about... Read More

Why Not Lead With Emotions?

Studies have shown that companies that have acquired competencies to... Read More

Two Vital Abilities Any Leader Must Have

As a business owner, you are a leader whether you... Read More

Managing Monsters in Meetings - Part 3, Drifting From the Topic

Although new ideas lead to creative solutions, they can be... Read More

The Leadership Strategy: An Unmined Comstock Lode of Results

During the Second World War, Winston Churchill had a framed... Read More

F2 Leadership

People don't leave jobs; they leave bosses. -- AnonymousCongratulations. You're... Read More

Leadership and Change in a Holographic Universe

Have you ever noticed that since the early part of... Read More

5 Power Keys For Leadership Success!

Did you know that you can successfully handle most leadership... Read More

Blowing Your Own Leadership Horn

There are two streams of competitiveness running through every organization.... Read More

What Kind of Leader Are You?

There are literally millions of words written and spoken each... Read More

Who Is Randy Gage and Why Is He One of My Mentors and Heroes?

Who is Randy Gage? I first read about him in... Read More

7 Core Elements Of Your Vivid Vision!

What you are about to read may be found in... Read More

Leadership - L.P.B It!

"Dissatisfaction and discouragement are not caused by the absence of... Read More

The Incandescence Of The Human Spirit

There lives within every individual a power, an energy, an... Read More

Leadership and The Dirty Work

The airline, Jet Blue, has been featured in many magazines... Read More

Leadership - Connect to Engage!

It's been said many times that true leadership is measured... Read More

Top 25 Leadership Quotations

Ponder what it takes to be a true leader with... Read More

Leadership Skills and Ability

What is true Leadership.Is leadership something we are born with... Read More

Mr. Shoaffs Simple Strategies to Success

(Excerpted from the Jim Rohn Sampler single CD)My first mentor,... Read More

Ten Characteristics of Leadership

Many people are interested in the characteristics of a great... Read More