From 3f03386066c8b57b9dcc2f6136e48531b86b5107 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Joseph Flinn <58369717+joseph-flinn@users.noreply.github.com> Date: Mon, 11 Dec 2023 07:07:04 -0800 Subject: [PATCH] [post] Engineer to Manager: Leadership vs Management (#78) * Initial commit of a post that discusses the difference between leadership and management * Add resource --- ...nagement-part-1.md => 0020-e2m-marbles.md} | 0 .../0021-e2m-management-and-leadership.md | 60 +++++++++++++++++++ 2 files changed, 60 insertions(+) rename data/posts/{0020-engineer-to-management-part-1.md => 0020-e2m-marbles.md} (100%) create mode 100644 data/posts/0021-e2m-management-and-leadership.md diff --git a/data/posts/0020-engineer-to-management-part-1.md b/data/posts/0020-e2m-marbles.md similarity index 100% rename from data/posts/0020-engineer-to-management-part-1.md rename to data/posts/0020-e2m-marbles.md diff --git a/data/posts/0021-e2m-management-and-leadership.md b/data/posts/0021-e2m-management-and-leadership.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c9ecc0a --- /dev/null +++ b/data/posts/0021-e2m-management-and-leadership.md @@ -0,0 +1,60 @@ +!! 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/)