A manager who is also a leader is an asset to any company. Being able to not only manage others, but also to inspire them to work their hardest is a great characteristic for any manager to have. Leadership management is being able to use leadership skills in a management position.
Some people may feel that it is impractical to be both a leader and a manager, claiming that they are two different jobs. Managers are in charge of getting work done, being in control, emphasizing procedures and rules, and making decisions. Leaders are team players, working with others to achieve goals. However, by combining the two roles, it is possible to inspire employees to overcome challenges and increase productivity, thus getting more work done. Also, employees who feel like part of a team instead of subordinates are more likely to follow rules and guidelines.
Leadership management can be applied by anyone who is in a position of leading others, even those not specifically in managerial positions. The best way to succeed in this management style is to view yourself as part of the team, and not as the person who controls the team, although you technically are in charge. This may mean improving communication skills, making it easier not only for your ideas to be understood but for you to understand the ideas of others. Pay attention to the feedback your employees offer; they often have a clear understanding of what needs improvement, and ideas on how to best implement any changes that may be necessary.
Leaders often have a vision that they are trying to achieve. In the workplace, this may be a completed project, an improvement in productivity, or simply a new way of doing things. Managers are in the unique position of being able to realize these goals in the workplace. Using a leadership management style can create a workplace environment where people feel like equals. An employee who doesn’t feel like a subordinate is more productive and more open to constructive criticism, knowing that their hard work and willingness to improve is helping to achieve a common goal. Tapping into the spirit of teamwork is one of the best ways to energize employees.
In the high stress, high speed, and complex work environments of the technological age, it is easy for employees to feel like they aren’t noticed amongst the office hierarchy. An employee who feels invisible may become disheartened, and may even cease caring about the quality of their work. A manager who leads his or her employees, rather than simply being their boss, can make a worker feel noticed again. Leadership management is a effective tool to bring lost employees back on board, and pave a path to a better workplace for everyone.
