A LEADERS DILEMMA!!

A Leaders Dilemma!!



A Leaders Dilemma!!

Introduction

The dilemma of the CEO is the one that is commonly faced by a number of organizations. Whenever there is a change in the organizational structure, there is always resistance by the old order.

In the given case, the CEO is planning an organization wide change. The initiative targets all sections of the organization. It is taken for granted that there will be resistance and opposition from some quarters.

Present Condition

At present there is a traditional “command and control” system of management firmly in place. The whole management is very much used to the system and feels that there is little room of important.

Proposed Changes by the CEO

The CEO plans to install a more open team based system of management. The system would allow for a more open environment and employee empowerment.

In scenarios like the one described above, the person bringing the change is the pivot on which the whole success or failure of the enterprise depends. The differences that distinguish a leader and a manager come into play.

Differences between leading and managing

The following comparison is taken from (Bennis, 1989):

A manager is an administrator while a leader is an innovator.

A manager maintains the current resources and assets while a leader develops them.

System is the main focus of a manager. People, in contrast, are the focus of a leader.

A manager “manages” trough control. A leader “leads” through trust.

A manager always looks at the short term while a leader always has a long term vision.

“How” and “when” are the concerns of a manager. “What” and “why” are the concerns of a leader.

Imitation is the strength of a manager. Originality is the forte of a manager.

These points illustrate the difference between a manager and a leader. To sum it up, a manager ...