Management VS Leadership

I can’t remember where, but I have written on this subject several times over the years in “SAY” (Salvation Army Youth) magazine (that really dates me, doesn’t it?), “Orange Blossom,” “New Frontier” column or wherever it was. The subject matter continues to be extremely relevant however and, for whatever reason, the important differences between these two extremes (management and leadership) don’t seem to resound with many young officers as they make that elongated transition from field appointments to command. Is it during these intervening “staff appointment” years when and where something is lost in the transition? Might it have something to do with modeled management styles? Maybe it’s something in the HQ water? I don’t pretend to have the answers, but I do wonder from time to time.

I’m not going to attempt to write a treatise on this subject in such a short space but, for discussion sake, let’s rehearse the differences between the two extremes. It may also provide a few “ponder points” for those of you who are or will one day be drinking the HQ H2O.

The following list is but a brief sampling of the differences as I see them:

MANAGEMENT --- LEADERSHIP
Controlling --- Empowering
Process Oriented --- Mission Focused
Rigid --- Flexible
Myopic --- Visionary
Reactive --- Interactive
Authoritarian --- Collaborative
Demanding --- Inspiring
Hierarchical --- Incarnational
Cautionary --- Trusting
Detail Centered --- Creatively Centered
Status Quoin --- Risk-taker
Fear --- Freedom
Master --- Servant
Formal Correctness --- Flexible Compassion
Task Oriented --- Goal Oriented
No! --- Yes!

Of course, the use of certain "management" techniques is essential to a smooth and efficient operation. Here's the rub. All too often they become an end in themselves, rather than a means to an end, don't they?

I leave you with a few more questions to ponder. Does the “management” model belong in the modern era with the “leadership” model superseding it in this post-modern age? Where do you think The Salvation Army fits today? More importantly, where do you fit? I must admit that I have wavered, erratically, between both extremes over the years. Luckily, a few excellent, releasing and empowering post-modern era leadership role models happened my way at just the right time. As future leaders, what kind of role model will you be? I wonder.

No, I don't pretend to have all the answers, but as a precautionary measure I would suggest that you take your own bottled H2O to HQ with you if and when that time comes. Thats what I did.

JN