What is a Leader?

Leadership focuses on vision, motivation, and inspiring people.
Management is more about efficiency, processes, measurement, and systems.
Most managers need to be leaders as well, as both roles are essential for success.
Key Point: Don’t get too caught up in the distinction between leadership and management; focus on excelling in both areas.

A good leader focuses on people, systems, and vision:
- People: Ensuring the right people are in the right roles and are motivated.
- Systems: Establishing processes and quality control to ensure tasks are done efficiently.
- Vision: Providing direction and a clear sense of where the organization is headed.
Key Point: Leaders should delegate effectively and focus on building a “machine of people” that can operate without constant oversight.

A leader (like a ship captain) must ensure the ship (organization) runs smoothly by:
- Delegating tasks (e.g., bed-making, serving soup) to the right people.
- Monitoring systems and ensuring quality.
- Staying on the bridge to steer the ship (focus on the big picture).
Key Point: A leader’s role is not to do everything themselves but to ensure everything is being done correctly by others.

Leaders are ultimately responsible for everything that happens in their organization.
If something goes wrong, it’s the leader’s responsibility to address it, as they are accountable for the systems and people in place.
Key Point: Leaders cannot blame individuals for failures; they must ensure the right systems and training are in place to prevent mistakes.

Two key methods for staying connected with your team:
1. Management by Walking About (MBWA):
- Spend time daily walking around, talking to employees, and understanding their challenges.
- Use this time to both listen and share information.
1. Back to the Floor:
- Spend time annually doing the lowest-level job in the organization to stay in touch with the realities of the work.
- This builds credibility and helps leaders make better decisions.
Key Point: Communication is the essence of leadership. Leaders must stay connected with their teams to ensure alignment and motivation.

Management by Walking About: Direct interaction with employees.
Back to the Floor: Experiencing the work firsthand.
Cascade Down of Information: Ensuring messages flow through managers to all levels.
Team Meetings: Regular (weekly) meetings to align and address issues.
Addressing the Troops: Annual company-wide communication to share vision, progress, and plans.

Key Point: Effective communication ensures alignment, motivation, and clarity across the organization.

Leadership is about what you do, not who you are.
Anyone can become a good leader by learning and applying the right behaviors and practices.
John Adair’s Action-Centered Leadership:
- Leaders must focus on task, team, and individual needs.
- Leadership involves five stages: objectives, planning, briefing, action, and review.
Key Point: Leadership is a skill that can be developed through practice and learning.

Leaders must balance task completion with team and individual well-being.
Leaders should:
- Set clear objectives.
- Plan effectively.
- Brief teams thoroughly.
- Monitor progress during action.
- Review and learn from outcomes.
Key Point: Leadership is a continuous process of setting direction, executing plans, and improving over time.

Leadership is about vision, people, and systems.
Effective leaders delegate, monitor, and communicate regularly.
Leadership is a learnable skill that involves balancing task, team, and individual needs.
Communication is the cornerstone of leadership, and leaders must stay connected with their teams to ensure success.

By focusing on these principles, anyone can develop the skills needed to become an effective leader.

Source: Practical Leadership course.