The language of leadership

Ever tried to learn to speak another language?
How difficult was it to pronounce those foreign words?
Leadership has its own language, too.
Here’s a lesson in the language of leadership:
"Lead people — manage things."
Four simple words. Powerful message.
Leaders concentrate on doing the "right" things.
Managers work on doing things the "right" way.
Both skills are necessary for success.
Years ago, a talented sales manager worked with us.
Once, I marked ads in a competitor’s newspaper with a note:
"Why didn’t we get these ads, Bert?"
Bert didn’t get angry or defensive.
All he said was, "I feel like you’re trying to manage me."
It wasn’t a compliment.
Bert taught me an important lesson that day.
Leaders say, "Let’s do it together".
Not "You go do it and report back to me."
It’s powerful when a leader says "Let’s do it together".
Similar lessons are in my book:
"Lead People, Manage Things".
It’s at http://www.jerrybellune.com/books.htm