John Wooden Was Underated

I've been thinking lately about the difference between leadership and management. Sometimes those two concepts are interchangeably used and I think that contributes to the murkiness of what it means to lead.

One of the best books on leadership I have ever read was called, "Wooden on Leadership," by John Wooden. The following quote is from that book, "Good things take time, usually lots of time. Achieving worth while goals requires intentness. There are set backs, losses, unexpected reversals, hardships and bad luck. Does the fight continue? The team will look to you for the answer."

There is no question that management is every bit as important to an organization as leadership is, but leadership comes first. The leader plants the seed and the manager waters it, prunes it and makes it thrive and grow.

To me, leadership is about helping the individuals that make up the company understand the overall strategy and mission, and then declare what is possible with great effort and teamwork. A great leader must live the mission and lead from the front. For when adversity comes, the team must see the leader pushing on and draw courage and inspiration from his commitment and confidence to get the job done, and accomplish the goals that make us proud of who we are and what we can become.

Leading and managing, two ideas, on a journey to one great company.