[post] Engineer to Manager: Leadership vs Management (#78)

* Initial commit of a post that discusses the difference between leadership and management

* Add resource

data/posts/0021-e2m-management-and-leadership.md

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+!! title: Engineer to Manager - Management vs Leadership
+!! slug: e2m-management-and-leadership
+!! published: 2023-12-11
+!! description: Discussing an interview question
+
+---
+
+I have recently been a part of the hiring process for my new manager. We're adding a level of middle manager as the
+company grows. One of the questions that we asked the candidates is: _What is the difference between being a manager and
+being a leader?_ We have gotten some surprising responses out of a relatively low sample size.
+
+There was general agreement that management skills focus on the tactical day-to-day tasks. The majority of the candidates
+had an overall negativity to the word _management_. "If done wrong, it looks like _do this, do it this way, and do it
+now_." came up more than once almost word for word. However, the candidates didn't go on to offer what management was
+when done right.
+
+Leadership, on the other hand, had an overtone of coaching and mentoring, with the more long term strategy in mind.
+Leaders coach and mentor.
+
+I will admit, when talking about abstract ideas like _management_ and _leadership_, it can be really challenging. Are
+they on the same continuum? Are they on different continuums but somehow related? Managers are put into Leadership
+positions, so it seems like they have to be related.
+
+As a child, I was fascinated with medieval history and high fantasy and the battles that would take place. Growing up
+and watching battles in movies, I saw two types of leaders: one that would lead the charge into battle from the front
+and one that would stay at the very back surrounded by their retinue. Even though the battles and leaders were
+fictional, I could tell that the armies that followed their kings, queens, or generals into battle were the ones that
+fought harder and for a purpose rather than feeling like being led to slaughter. My respect for character's leadership
+was determined with the part they played in the battle, whether they were at the front or the back.
+
+Leaders are the first into the fray and the first into the unknown. They lead the charge and people follow because they
+trust them. They trust that the leader has the group's best interest in mind. They know that the leader might make a
+mistake, but they wouldn't sacrifice the members of the group; especially not for personal gain. Leaders create a
+purpose for the group and build the trust needed to work towards that purpose. Leaders provide protection for the
+group. 
+
+Leaders pull up other leaders around them. And great leaders will sacrifice themselves for the benefit of the
+group before they would sacrifice any one of their group members. They know that there is someone to step up into their
+place because they have pulled them up as a leader.
+
+Everyone is a leader, no matter their position in the group. Group cohesion is up to every member of the group. The
+group leader is not always present in every activity. When there is a singular purpose and everyone is moving towards
+it, every member is given the great responsibility of not going rogue. 
+
+Managers are leaders. Management skills are the subset of Leadership skills that build the trust with the team.
+Management skills are the ones that are used to Actively Listen to team members when they have concerned with the
+direction to achieve goals for the group's purpose. Actively listening allows people's ideas and perspectives to be
+heard. They feel understood. The group goals might change and they might not. But when someone feels truly heard AND
+understood, they are much more likely to not go rogue and leave the group. When their perspectives contribute to the
+group direction towards the purpose, it builds strong and lasting cohesion in the group. 
+
+In short, Leaders align groups on a greater purpose, provide protection, and are the _first_ into danger and the
+unknown. Managers set behavior expectations of what it means to be a member of the group and delivers supportive
+feedback on how to improve as a member. Managers are Leaders and so is every other member of the group.
+
+---
+
+## Resources
+
+1. [Simon Sinek: Leaders Eat Last](https://simonsinek.com/books/leaders-eat-last/)