Michele,
Thank you for your interest in one of my previous threads on
management and for triggering me to consider my own role through
your questions.
You asked:"Do you think that there should be any major differences
in between how managers are educated vs. how leaders are
educated?"
Short response: I don't think there will many job openings for
managers who can't assume the leadership role when needed...so I
think we need Leaders who can manage more than we need just
managers or just leaders.
The why:
In the 1960's some Japanese came to the US to visit a General
Motors plant. They were impressed by the size of the facility,
the size of the workforce, the volume of production and the
utilization of equipment....for one of the worlds largest, most
successful Corporations.
Some of the same Japanese business men came back to visit the same
GM facility in the 1980's and they were again surprised...but this
time in how little the place had changed in 20 years. This tells
me that GM did a great job of 'managing', but not so much of a
good job 'leading'.
GM, through their success, had believed that they had found the
ONE FORMULA that would work for them forever...this happens all of
the time from SWISS WATCH Makers, TELEVISION SET Makers, even
those old 8 track tapes...
In these companies, those who maintained the status quo were
promoted and rewarded. All senior executives had to do was to
look at the numbers (results) to see who was performing the 'one
right way'. Those who tried to introduce change were seen as
trying to rock the boat in an environment that coined the
phrase:"If it ain't broke, don't fix it". These trouble makers
often found themselves out of a job.
When GM finally woke up and realized that the 'one right way' was
no longer working because the rest of the world had not stood
still for 20 years, ie. Customer needs had changed, the economy
(record inflation) had changed, environment (energy crisis) had
changed, etc., they quickly had to break out of the mold. The
auto industry especially went through some pretty major upheavals
during this time...quickly trying to catch up with the competitors
who had been changing steadily during that same 20 year period.
Corporations were not prepared for the magnitude of change
required of them in the 80's...and they often found that their
terrific managers, who were able to successfully maintain the
status quo on the perfect formula...made some lousy leaders in
change. Those who had virtually no leadership skills basically
tried to Manage Change...using the only skill they had ever
learned....I call these Hatchet men.
So to answer your question more directly...I think corporations
will continue to feel the affects of the 80's for another 20 years
as they play catch-up....basically because a lot of corporations
are still trying to manage change instead of lead change. The
only certain thing about the near future, as far as what I can
tell, is that change is going to be the norm.
Also, as we become more global...they demands to perform in half
the time with half the cost around the world will further
challenge companies that hope to survive the next ten years.
Those students coming out of the universities with only management
skill will be able to find jobs because maintaining will always be
a need...but those who want the good jobs will be leaders who can
manage.
Someone much smarter than me [and I am sorry that I don't know the
author's name] once wrote:
" He who knows HOW, will always have a job;
He who knows WHAT will always be his boss!"
I interpret this as he who manages will always have a job...but
the true value is in he who can lead those managers...
For myself, in my current position...Thanks for asking. I had not
thought much about what I consider myself, manager or leader,
until you asked me.
In my position I feel that I must be both. I must lead- which to
me means to create challenges, motivate, nurture and inspire-
people to change for the better and to be more competitive in
todays market. My goal is to get them to take one step closer to
the ideal. Then I must manage - help them understand how they got
there, why it was important and what it means- while in my head I
am planning to take them that next step to the level one up!
Thanks so much for the inspiration,
DISCLAIMER: Of course these are my thoughts and do not necessarily
reflect the opinion of where I work...but give me time and they
will.
Rick Corcoran
Continuous Improvement Manager(ha) and leader(?)
Excel Industries