In order to understand why managers are not effective but leaders are, we need to understand the difference. Management is about productivity and efficiency. Leadership is about effectiveness.
The problem for managers is that the problems of efficiency and productivity have been solved. We have all the techniques, Lean, Prince, Agile etc etc. The truth is that your organisation is either already employing these techniques or can just send people on a course or read a few books and there you go, problem solved.
It can’t be that easy you cry, if it was then everyone would be super-efficient and mega productive. However, as usual so many people are solving the wrong problem. Every time you become more efficient or more productive you are either catching up with your competitors or moving a little bit ahead until they overtake you. The problem with competitors is – they compete. What we need is a more effective way of achieving our objective. We need leaders. The sort of people who say, “I know everyone is going down this road but what happens if we turn off the track and try a different route.” The problem with efficiency and productivity is we get a “faster horse” Effectiveness Is Not About Faster Horses
Look at the great moves forward:
Ford – they don’t want a better horse they want a faster and more comfortable way of getting from A to B. Result – the affordable car and production line manufacturing.
Windows – they don’t want a better way of using a keyboard they want a better way of interacting with a computer. Result – the mouse and graphical interface.
Apple – they don’t want a portable CD player they want songs available – Result – the iPlayer
UK Cycling – they don’t want a faster bike they want to win gold medals – Result – Dave Brailsford’s training techniques.
There are thousands more examples – most less dramatic but just as effective in achieving the objective.
What do all these have in common? Leaders who refused to produce a better, faster, more productive, more efficient thing or process and instead showed the organisation a more effective way to achieve the objective.
Are you a manager or a leader?
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