On today’s Lessons in Leadership episode, Leadership Expert and CEO of LearnToLead Dave Anderson tackles the 13th commandment of his 15 Commandments for Organizational Peak Performance, which he says warns all leaders to stop over-managing and start leading.
According to Anderson, a critical barrier to peak performance is the failure to recognize that management and leadership are two distinct, non-interchangeable skill sets. While both are necessary for operational success, one cannot substitute for the other.
The essential balance
Anderson defines management as the “paperwork” part of the business. It includes the vital infrastructure that prevents a dealership or enterprise from unraveling, such as systems, processes, controls, budgets, scheduling, and inventory management.
"What happens so often is we over-manage and we under-lead... We start spending more time with the stuff than with the people, and we start to lose connection with the people, and we start to stagnate as well."
Leadership, by contrast, centers on “people work,” which involves setting a clear vision and direction, building and growing a team, driving strategy, holding employees accountable, and delivering active coaching, mentoring, and training.
Identifying the red flags
While there is no fixed ratio, like a 50/50 or 70/30, for splitting time between management and leadership, the right balance depends heavily on team quality and the scope of a manager’s responsibilities. However, Anderson notes that leaders can usually tell intuitively when they have drifted too far toward managing tasks rather than guiding people.
He highlighted key warning signs that signal an over-managed organization:
- Dwindling operational results
- Declining team morale
- Loss of organizational momentum
- Deteriorating workplace relationships
When these red flags appear, managers must recognize that they have gotten off track and actively pivot back toward leadership.
