I think US businessman Stephen Covey said it well: "Management is efficiency in climbing the ladder of success; leadership determines whether the ladder is leaning against the right wall."
Too many senior people I meet focus more on management than leadership. They concentrate directly on results, often driven by short-term pressures, and the tools and systems they think are needed to achieve their objectives.
In contrast, true leadership means focusing on the bigger picture, establishing a compelling shared vision for the future, providing direction, and aligning the entire enterprise to achieve new levels of customer value and performance.
Increasingly, and in accordance with the globally recognised Shingo Model of Enterprise Excellence, leadership focuses on embedding the 10 guiding Shingo principles into the systems and behaviours of the organisation.
They start this process through leading by example, committing to exhibiting ideal behaviours consistent with the culture change they seek to create. This includes personally demonstrating the principle 'lead with humility', which recognises that they do not have all the wisdom or answers, and welcome the input and creativity of others.
Hence, leaders can quickly change the climate in an organisation, kick-starting the journey to a culture transformation and unlocking the potential of others to achieve sustainable success.
Facing the facts is also important, again with humility. Great leaders are prepared to look into the future (and sometimes in the mirror) and not flinch at what they might see.
You cannot ignore what's in front of you, warts and all. Be honest about financials, quality, people and culture. It's the only way to get a true picture of where you are and where you need to be going.
I've often been asked if leadership can be learned or are you born with it?
I think it's dangerous to think that it's just about what you're born with – that encourages the idea that it depends on background or personality. Even though it's true that some potential leaders can be spotted as early as in primary school, some leadership qualities can definitely be learned, like communication skills, and the best leaders seek to continuously improve.
This opens the door to leadership to more of us.
