Managing Is Not Leading or Coaching

It seems like some organizations subscribe to the “Longest Breathing Employee Becomes Manager/Director” philosophy. When the head of a department or function leaves, the next available person with the most seniority gets promoted.

Other organizations believe that they have to hire a manager, director or VP from within the industry. Otherwise, how could they possibly understand what they do?

Then there are those bosses who only want to hire managers or directors that are less talented than they are.

The combination of these and other scenarios has created a leadership vacuum where very few people in positions of authority are actually leaders or even coaches. Instead, they manage a little bit but really do not lead.

Leadership and coaching are a way of work, a passion or calling. It has to happen on a daily basis. You have to invest in leading and coaching, invest your time in developing others.