This month we're taking a sharp look at key distinctions between manager and leader. I developed a 20-question survey (“Are you more of a manager or leader?”) that received 126 responses … and the results are in. I invite you to read through them, reflect on them, discuss them, pass them along, comment here on the blog, and/or email me.
Given the volume of information, I’m breaking it up into four blog posts covering five questions each. This is the second of four posts covering all 20 questions.
Below you’ll see the percentage of respondents for each survey question. Also, highlighted in yellow, you’ll find the most leader-like answer to each question. Finally, you’ll see my own commentary on the leadership theme(s) associated with each question, and a few suggestions for further reading on that topic.
Your comments, questions, and suggestions are welcome!
David Peck
Executive Coach and President
Leadership Unleashed
(See last week's write up of results from questions 1 through 5)
6. I spend the majority of my time on day to day tasks, versus on developing the road ahead.
Disagree: 39%
Neutral: 26%
Agree: 35%
Leadership Theme: Temporal framework for a leader, barring temporary need, is primarily to be looking from the present to the future. A manager's time frame is the present. If a leader spends the majority of their time on the day to day tasks, they are acting as a manager. More reading on this:
Tools for Leadership: Being Present About the Future
7. A leader needs to avoid showing vulnerability to his or her people.
Disagree: 83%
Neutral: 11%
Agree: 6%
Leadership Theme: Leaders understand that sharing their vulnerability and humanity with others makes them stronger leaders, not weaker. We are wired to be inspired, engaged, and want to do our best work with someone who is "real" and not shielded or phony. More reading on this:
Case Study: Leadership Means Letting Them Know You
8. My primary role is to be of service to our clients/customers, those I lead, and the communities we serve.
Agree: 80%
Neutral: 12%
Disagree: 8%
Leadership Theme: Leadership as part of a greater whole. Leadership is being of service to others. Without that, people in authority are opportunists, narcissists, or both. Much of the financial meltdown of late 2008 was the logical end result of leaders failing to care about and understand their impact on others. More reading on this:
LeaderTip: Leadership and Community
9. In my heart of hearts, I believe that successes are more attributable to my own leadership than to the efforts of those I lead.
Disagree: 66%
Neutral: 18%
Agree: 16%
Leadership Theme: Humility. Research about great-performing organizations over long periods of time shows that the leaders are humble. More reading on this:
Addiction to Power: Hubris and Leadership
10. I tend to say what must be said, even if it's uncomfortable for others.
Agree: 70%
Neutral: 18%
Disagree: 12%
Leadership Theme: Courageous authenticity. Leaders must face things as they are, and say what must be said. More reading on this:
Stay tuned for the next post on the survey, which will cover questions 11 through 15...
-DP