I love this little quote from Stuart Wilde, “More money won’t solve your money problems. If you can’t live on $2,000 a month, $10,000 a month won’t help, because you can’t manage the money you do have. You have to learn how to manage your money first.” The same is very true of leadership.
And, I was reminded of Stuart’s quote when I heard myself say, “Before you can grow into your strategic leadership, you have to get your house in order’. Responsibility is key to leadership, knowing the difference between responsibility and accountability is even more crucial.
A manager is responsible, but a leader is accountable. And, for a leader to be accountable they must first be responsible. Leadership mastery requires developing all those basic skills of management, before moving on to higher levels of leadership. If not developed then there will always be that unresolved management skill-set dragging along behind.
Reading the HBR blog posting, “How Managers Become Leaders“, exhibits an excellent list of high-level manager skill-sets to reflect upon. Before passing on to the next level of leadership a passing grade must be achieved. Ask yourself, “Am I effective in each of these task?”
- Specialist – mastering the specific core tools for your business and function
- Analyst – Quickly analyze the circumstance, fine-tune your listening
- Tactician – Focus on the detail and move to action
- Bricklayer – clearly understand your department and how it fits in with the organization
- Problem Solver – develop a problem solving method to get the problem managed
- Warrior – be able to generate your management style to get the results
- Supporting Cast Member – know when to manage and when to take the cue from others.
If your leadership ‘house’ is not in order, look only as far as the mastery of your responsibilities.
