Make It Better

I've coached people who are in love with their management style. Some revel in being convoluted and very sophisticated. Others brag of their toughness. Still others describe themselves as "collegial." [Some of them even are.]

All miss the point. The employer doesn't care how leaders manage just so they make things better. This is hardly profound but it's surprising to those who stress style over effectiveness. There may be some emotional reward with managing in a certain manner but it is irrelevant if that practice isn't effective. Unless the situation requires a short-term fix, leaders need to use more than one style. That means it doesn't pay to fall in love with one approach. Leaders need to know when to switch.

Great ones do.