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As I was preparing to deliver my “Manage AND Lead” workshop this week, my Mentee challenged, “Why do you think so many people talk about leadership?”
I responded, “If leadership was easy, everyone would do it. The world is congested with leadership training because very few people are actually leading.”
Here’s the issue. People intellectually grasp leadership concepts, but they execute their jobs with a manager mindset.
People are greatly-intended creatures. They sincerely want to develop, guide, mentor, and recognize others. Most participants register for leadership programs out of their deep desire and spirited passion to make a difference for the people on their teams.
But then their boss calls screaming, “I need that report ASAP!” …and all worthwhile intentions vaporize! They scramble to send out an urgent message to their people, demanding to know the status of the report!
The stark reality is that we don’t get paid to develop, guide, mentor, or recognize people. We don’t get paid to motivate, encourage, or celebrate people. We don’t get paid to bring joy, passion, or enthusiasm to our role. We don’t get paid to inspire others and draw out their full potential. We don’t get paid to lead.
We. Do. Not. Get. Paid. To. Lead.
We get paid to Manage. We get paid to manage stuff: deadlines, budgets, projects, reports, meetings, calendars, and conflict.
And because of these opposing forces, the Leadership Journey is not easy.
And we don’t make it any easier. By ignoring the managing vs. leading struggle that undermines all great intentions to contribute to others, we guarantee leadership frustrations and even failure. We have designed the system to ensure the survival of the Bad Boss.
If it was easy, everyone would do it, and we wouldn’t need to talk about it so much.
We get paid to Manage. We get the privilege to Lead.
© 2020. Ann Tardy and MentorLead. www.mentorlead.com | www.anntardy.com |
