What Leadership is Not
In order to better understand what leadership is, let's first discuss what it is not.
Leadership Defined - Dave Ramsey
- Leadership is not power. Power is derived from a range of sources, including status, position, financial resources, expertise, charisma, the capacity to cause harm, media access, asset control, communication abilities, and physical strength. Leaders always have power, but the powerful are not always leaders. The thug who sticks a gun in your back has "power" but not leadership. Power is self-centered, ethically neutral (can be used for good or bad), and amoral.
- Leadership is not status. While having a status or position can provide opportunities for leadership, it's crucial to recognize that these alone do not equate to actual leadership ability. Some may have status or position, yet don't have a shred of leadership. It's very important to understand that position is assigned from above, whereas true leadership is granted and acknowledged by those at the lower levels.
- Leadership is not authority. The boss will naturally have "subordinates," but, if leadership is not present, he or she will not have followers. People choose to follow and bestow the mantle of leadership upon someone only if the person acts like a leader.
- Leadership is not management: Management is the process of controlling systems through planning, organizing, and supervising. Managers organize system inputs- processes, policies, plans, procedures, programs. Managing is a planned activity. Leadership is more spontaneous than planned. Managers do things right. Leaders do the right things. Effective leaders do both.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
8-2. What is defined as the process of controlling systems through planning, organizing, and supervising?
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