"The Generalstab tried desperately for a hundred years to train up a generation of leaders for the
German army; but it never worked, because the men who delighted their superiors, i.e., the managers, got the high commands, while the men who delighted the lower ranks, i.e., the leaders, got reprimands.
Leaders are movers and shakers, original, inventive, unpredictable, imaginative, full of surprises that discomfit the enemy in war and the main office in peace. For the managers are safe, conservative, predictable, conforming organization men and team players, dedicated to the establishment."
Yes, there is a difference. Managers delight in their self worth and leaders delight in the self worth of other.
We were asked to complete a Leadership Style Survey and I have included my reflection assignment as I think it clearly articulates my thoughts on my personal leadership style.
Leadership Style
Survey Reflection
I have grown up being thrust into leadership positions. Some
worked out well and others did not. I have tried to take these experiences,
both the good and bad, and create a leadership style that defines who I am. One
of the reasons I am asked to take leadership positions is that I tend to get
things done, can be a team player when necessary, but am able to stand alone
when called upon to do so. I have found that I really struggle to sit in the
shadows and watch others take over because they seek to manage a group instead
of finding ways to include the group. I hate with a passion the phrase, “that’s
how it’s always been done.” My first instinct is to question, “Why”? This doesn’t always bode well for me.
Having completed the Leadership Style Survey I was neither
surprised nor disappointed with the results. I was good with what I saw and can see how my
leadership style has changed over the years. As a child and youth I was more of
an Authoritarian leader. It was my way or the highway. In high school I was
involved in leadership classes and student council. I learned that I can’t do
everything alone and that it is okay for others to have ideas on how things
should be done and to allow them to do it their way. As a young adult I learned the importance of
delegation. I had been called as the Activities Chair for my YSA Branch. This
required a huge time commitment. At the time I was going to school and a shift
manager/trainer at the salon I worked at. My Branch President taught me that I
could be a better leader if I would delegate the majority of the planning and
carrying out of activities to my committee. He said that I should follow up with
them and offer assistance but allow them the opportunity to own their assignments. This is the style
that has been the hardest but most rewarding for me. The survey indicated that
I am not “strong” in any particular leadership style. I scored highest in
Participative (Democratic) Style, 36, followed closely by Delegative (Free Reign)
Style, 31. I feel that this is a fair
assessment. You can’t always be right and sometimes leaders need to be able to
support the majority even when they are in the minority. As a leader it is also
important to lead through delegation. One of the best ways to get others on
board with a goal is to give them an assignment, offer assistance, and then
hold them accountable. The feeling you get when another person on your team accomplishes
a goal is awesome. You can see their commitment level rise and you can see your
own rise along with them.
I think each of the Acton Heros we have studied possess each
of the three leadership styles. While one may be more dominate it is finding a
balance that allows them to be successful. Leaders that are too authoritarian
may struggle with employee retention and customer service. Leaders that are too
participative may lack direction as it relates to the big picture. It is great
to get along with your colleagues, but there may be a need for role distinction.
Finally those who delegate too much may find that they don’t have a job! If you delegate all of your responsibility,
why does the company keep you around? There
will be different times in your career where one style may be needed more than
another such as during a transition.
Overall, I am pleased with the results of this survey as
they show that you can make a shift from one style to another with a conscious
and consistent effort. As I am sure you can attest I have no problem taking a
stand when I feel there are ground to do so, but I have come to the
understanding that I don’t always have to be right either (well, okay,
sometimes I don’t have to be right). Learning to let go and allow others to achieve
has been a long road but it has been worth it. I have gained a much greater
appreciation for those who train others and get involved in the process instead
of watching from the outside. It is these type of leaders that make me want to
work in a corporate type job instead of being an entrepreneur. It is the idea
that you can have an impact on others without having to be the boss that has
guided the last ten years of my life. I no longer have the need or desire to be
the CEO or Department Head to feel that I have arrived. I can now see others
succeed and feel accomplished and fulfilled.
Entrepreneur Interview - Update
Over the next week I will be putting together the final draft of my Entrepreneur Interview. It was a good interview and as I reflect I can see how Jim has a passion for both his career and his entrepreneurial venture. His leadership style would be more participatory than any of the others but I can see him using each of the styles depending on the situation.
$100 Project - Update
This has been a rough week for my $100 project. My daughter had her tonsils removed last Friday and has struggled a bit with pain and the dry weather here in Idaho. I have put a couple of ad campaigns together but failed to get them posted on FB. I don't know how successful I will be with this project overall as my heart really isn't in it and we are in the process of moving again. This type of project is really geared to those who are established in their communities not those like me who are constantly moving and don't have a lot of time to get out and get to know those in the community. I wonder if this project would be more successful if it was done in teams? I am still struggling with some of the legal aspects of the project and that has definitely contributed to my lack of drive. As a funny (or maybe not so funny) note. My kids brought home their Jump Rope for Heart donation information and asked if they could go out and solicit donations. It honestly made me feel like they were asking to be sleazy used car salesmen. They honestly don't care about the American Heart Association they just want the "prizes". In my own mind I compare this to the $100 project, I don't really have a desire to do it I just want the "prize" of a good grade in the end. Are we really teaching our kids to make the world a better place if they know nothing about he groups they are fundraising for? Are we as college students really getting that much out of this project if our only goal is a good grade? Are either of these really the entrepreneurial spirit?
My total to date for this project is $55
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