How has your leadership and management changed over the years? Thanks to the evolution of technology and the ever-changing economy, you and your business will need to adapt to a range of different circumstances and consumer demands.

For our 100th Big Friday Finish webinar on 2nd September, we went LIVE on YouTube and were joined by the founder of the business coaching profession, Brad Sugars! Brad founded ActionCOACH in 1993 and is now the CEO of over nine companies. He is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, high-profile entrepreneur and the #1 business coach in the world. Here are some of the points he covered:

 

Leadership vs management

These are terms that are often interchangeably, and until recently, there would have been little differentiation between the two. You could argue that they boil down to the same thing: authority over how a business is run. There are some key differences, however. Leadership is about motivating and inspiring a group to achieve a common goal. Management is about the finer details of how you ensure tasks are done and goals are met.

Despite these differences, you need to employ a healthy balance of both. Management without leadership lacks vision and purpose. Leadership without management lacks proper execution in how plans are carried out. If you can strike that balance, you have the potential to build a company that everyone wants to be part of.

Structure and direction

Because of the wide range of technology now available to us, it is easier than ever to systemise data and keep track of plans. Yet this is still an area where many business owners struggle – they muddle along focusing only on getting the job done without any structure or direction. With so many competitors now available in any given sector, this approach is simply not sustainable. Without short and long-term plans, you will get nowhere in your market. Effective management depends on having systems in place for people to follow and be held accountable to. As a team leader, you manage what you measure. You need to keep track of what is being done how, when, and by whom, and you cannot do this efficiently without clear structures in place.

Know your team

As well as knowing your work, you also need to understand the people in it – both as individuals and as a group. What drives your team to succeed? What can they bring to your business? How do they learn and communicate? These things need to be considered as early as possible in your recruitment process, so you are selecting the right people. It is also important in the retention of your existing team. For years, employees have been treated as nothing more than cogs in a machine. Yet to truly reach their potential, people need to be in an environment where they feel heard and valued.

An aligned vision for the future

To create a truly successful business, you and your team need to be aligned with your company’s vision. It is also important for each individual to have their own goals that they are committed to for their own personal growth. Make sure you are working together in a cohesive way with clear communication regarding what you are trying to achieve. Although there will always be differences in opinions, you and your team all need to be united when it comes to bigger goals so that you are working in synch and moving in the same direction.

If you want to learn about where the future of leadership and management is heading, then watch the 100th Big Friday Finish webinar with Brad Sugars for FREE on our YouTube channel here.