Whats your style?
People ask the difference between a leader and a boss. The leader leads, and the boss drives - Theodore Roosevelt
What’s your managerial style? A lot have been written, said and depicted about Managers Versus Leaders. Leaders create visions, people focused, risk seeker, sets directions, pulls the team along. A manager on the other hand controls, likes to be respected, authoritative, gives directions, pushes the team and lots more
Good for some real management studies and are true to certain areas. Nevertheless, I too have experienced the both kinds of people. Managers who have been like the previously described Leaders and then there were those who wanted to keep everyone under their thumb.
However take a step back. Let us take real close look at things with some different perspective; there are these times where we need be the super encouraging person and where we need to act like a dictator. There are no prescribed guidelines or definitions or description for this. Having been a person who has managed from a small to a large team, I have definitely observed both these characteristics evolving out from me. These are the need of the hour factored by the people who you are managing, strategy, nature of work and lot many things
So how is the managerial style…boss them or smooth talk them. Let us take cue from our 2 inspiring personalities – Lord Rama and Lord Krishna. Yes its true, when in need look up to your gods they will show you the path.
In Hindu mythology there are two great epics. One is called Ramayana and other is called Mahabharata. The center story of both these books is around victory of good on evil. In one story Lord Ram leads his army to defeat Ravana, in his land, while in the second Lord Krishna oversees Pandavas defeating the Kauravas in the war at Kurushektra.
For those who do not know, Rama and Krishna are the incarnations of the same Lord Vishnu. First take Rama. In Ramayana – Ravana kidnaps Sita, Lord Rama’s wife. In his quest to get his wife back, he seeks the help of Sugreeva and his army. Sugreeva entrusts himself and his entire army to help Rama. Now Sugreeva and his army are the vanara army or the monkey army. Here brings the need of the hour. Rama’s army is used to a type of warfare using their fists, raw strength. On the other hand, their enemy they would face in the upcoming war, is more sophisticated –has the knowledge of using weapons, have capable leaders such as Indrajit, Kumbhakarna and Ravana, who are experienced in different styles of warfare and are the best of the class. Citing the circumstances and being the best warrior of his side, Rama has to take up the reigns of leading from the front. He has to strategize the operations such as getting to Lanka by building a bridge, direct different people to do things which will meet the objectives. His army is happy to follow orders, as they are getting the required directions where their leader is setting directions to achieve their goals. Ultimately they won the war & the final desired outcome was achieved.
On the other hand let us take some look at the Mahabharata. Lord Krishna was the puppeteer of the whole war. He was very clear in his objectives. Where both the warring sides were his cousins, Krishna offered only his expertise with the condition that he won’t pick any weapon or fight the battle. The only offer from Krishna was to become a charioteer, which was accepted by Arjuna. And Krishna did what he said. He never picked up the weapon & he never fought the war. He only guided them wherever and whenever required. The Pandavas won the war, needless to say with the brilliance of Krishna and by following his advice the final outcome was achieved. So, what was different? Was it their managerial style OR was it the type of people who were being lead OR was it skill set they had. While Lord Ram’s role was to show it & lead from the front, Krishna played the role of a coach whose job was to remove cobwebs from his protege's mind. Rama had to teach and lead, Krishna couldn't teach, but definitely helped see things differently. One worked with the unskilled army had to be emotional, give precise instructions, and motivate the army; while the latter worked with trained and skilled professionals, only had to provide strategy.
Now take a look at your team/family & reflect what type of leader/parent you are and may be what type you want to be. The one who keeps answering/solving problems for people/kids OR Who asks relevant questions from their people/kids so that they can find their own solution. Someone who tells/directs all the time OR the one who clarifies doubts & allows their people/kids to find their own ways.
There are Arjuna’s who have the necessary knowledge but they need someone to clarify the cobwebs in their mind, if you are to apply Lord Ram’s style on them, you are bound to fail them as a manager. On the other hand if there are people who aren't skilled enough but rely on your lead and expertise to sail, instructions won’t help and that’s where you have to be the boss
Time for us to get starting to think and reflect what managerial style will bring the best result for you and your team/family? Is it Lord Ram or Lord Krishna? Is it the Managing Leader or the Coaching Leader!