Leadership vs Management

Many of my colleagues continue to push for more leadership. My concern is that too few are pushing for more management. To me, Leadership (simplified) is getting people to move in a common direction. Management (again, simplified) involves knowing how to get there and whether we should even be there in the first place.

The difficulty is that leaders don’t necessarily know how to get where they want to go. An even more dangerous result: they get there then realize they should never have come.

Managers know how to get where they want to go. Managers will know what the results of their journey.

It’s time for our leaders to develop some basic management skills. Perhaps, we can get them to watch an episode of Undercover Boss.

Leadership missed

The fervor regarding gun control (sadly) subsides.  Even more sadly,  nothing seems to have been done.
This is not a political blog, so I’ll refrain comment; but I can’t help but wonder why the NRA hasn’t take a leadership told rather than their NO…NO..NO stance (which is not a role at all).
With extremist controlling both sides of congress .. the NRA is in a perfect position to take a leadership role in this debate. How sad they they can’t figure this out.
I hope before I die, this country finds a true leader. It’s been decades.

True Leadership …

Okay. I was wrong. Communication won’t be the next topic. True leadership is. Ahhhh, the passion is back!!!!!

The universe handed me a bone this week on the flight back from my executive retreat with my business partner. Shortly after sitting in my seat on the plane, a good-looking, confident gentleman in worn, scruffy jeans sat next to me. His confidence shone, but didn’t overwhelm. What overwhelmed was his approach-ability … one of the easiest people to talk to I’ve met. We exchanged the usual pleasantries (one day I do have to figure out how to explain what I do to someone not in the industry).

His name is Simon Baker (not The Mentalist) and he indicated he ran an asset management firm. I’d met many asset managers and traders in the past, and as I have a passion for trading the conversation got even easier. In short order, without pretense, he indicated he was one of the panelists on CNBC’s Fast Money. Instantly all the little missing pieces fell into place … the accent … the face … the poise. I’d seen the show often enough to remember him (finally).

I smiled. Not because I was sitting next to a celebrity (of sorts). I’m a keynote speaker and seminar leader. I’ve met some of the best in the my industry and I got past star-struck when fate put me in an elevator with Bill Beutel (if you know the name then you’re showing your age); a man I respected greatly.

I smiled because I found myself in the presence of a true leader. A CEO with no pretense, no bully tactics, no politics; just simple confidence in himself, his abilities and his direction. True role models are hard to find … Thank you Simon for a brief breath of fresh air.

If you really want to get this blog entry, go to Simon’s web site (BakerAve.Com) under the “Our Firm”, then “Management Team”. Do the Rollover for “The Real Me”. Then you’ll get it.

Thanks again, Simon … BTW: I think you’re right regarding the market’s reaction to Cypress (sorry, the trader in me is still trying).

A New Strategy … Continued

The universe is working with me. My endeavor for strategic planning is culminating in an exciting new venture, or rather, a significant expansion of what I do best.

It’s still a bit premature to announce, but for the benefit of my readers … ignore your environment and be yourself. IT WORKS! The universe supports true leaders.

The heck with the federal government, the heck with Illinois’ mess of a government. Just get back to business. Do it. The universe will support you.

As this is not a marketing blog, rather an informational blog, my new focus for a while will be communication. Of course, I will keep you all abreast of developments.

Cheers, and hang in there. The leaders of this country may know know what they’re doing, but there are plenty of us still out here who do.

A New Strategy

It’s time. Over the next few months, I’ll be doing one of my favorite activities: true strategic planning. After the worst recession in 70 years and facing an incompetent and ineffective government (both state and federal … remember, I live in Illinois, the worst financial state in the country); I’ll ignore my environment and do what I do best.

Over the next few months, I’ll keep you abreast of the progress. I’ll let you see my decisions, their rational, and their progress.

Win, lose or draw, if you’re a project manager, program manager, portfolio manager or strategic planner, I hope these blog entries will be informative.

Egos

I find it interesting that the egos of the President and Congress seem to be more important to them than the economic condition of the greatest country on the face of Earth.

The last time I faced such insanity, my solution was to simply ignore those above me and do what I do best. I think it’s time for that again.

More to follow.

Common threads

Seminar attendees sometimes tell me that while they find particular material interesting, it really doesn’t apply to them. In many cases this is true. It’s not unusual for a person mostly concerned with process management will show up in a project management seminar.

When such events occur, here’s what I suggest: consider the form and structure rather than the details. For example, a project charter is nothing more than a work definition document. Down-scale it to define smaller work activities, up-scale it for larger programs.

Project management, after all, is nothing more than understanding your customer, understanding their needs, and developing a plan to meet those needs.