Resources

Another V|E|C|T|O|R resource module. ["Leadership and Where V|E|C|T|O|R Fits"], draws some distinctions between the roles and contributions of leaders versus managers. This module gives further examples, not to prove a theoretical point, but help clarify the pragmatic focus and intention of the V|E|C|T|O|R framework.

The first point to make clear is that the distinctions are more of degree than kind. Most managers spend some of their time leading; and, leaders managing. The real-life issue is understanding the needs and balance; and, this is not so much a question of position or duty statement but the nature of current challenges. Are your world and team stable - requiring only steady-handed management; or, changing dramatically and requiring insight, energy and inspiration through leadership actions to ensure survival or higher performance? Are you seeking incremental efficiencies within well-defined boundaries; or, finding a new effectiveness in a changing world?

Given the rate and scale of change in most industries and organisations today, the need for leadership is increasing. In fact, many roles which previously were predominantly managerial are now overlaid with a heavy leadership load. Like so many other things, the task is not only getting bigger but also more difficult.

Let me illustrate the differences we are talking about using two roles from the travel industry: tour leader (or guide) versus tour manager:

Tour leader concerns...	Tour manager concerns...
Destination What to see Meaning/interpretation Lessons Excitement Mix of group Client satisfaction New tour possibilities	Arrangements/schedule Logistics Comfort Meals Provisions Costs Passports/vaccinations

In sum, the leader is concerned with effectiveness: the objectives of the tour and how well these are achieved. The manager more with efficiency: getting there on time and with a minimum of fuss.

This simple example is doubly useful since it highlights the importance of distinguishing between roles rather than who is doing them. On many tours, the same person is both the leader and manager: wearing two hats.

Let me illustrate further with a few additional leader/manager pairs:

Leader - Focus	Manager - Focus
Captain/coach - Programming - Artists/performers	Team Manager - Arrangements - Budgets
Artistic Director - Programming - Artists/performers	General Manager - Venue Hire - Ticket sales/costs
Research Director - Program - Staff	Lab. Manager - Equipment - Facilities
Prime Minister - National priorities - Winning elections	Treasurer - Budgets - Programs

And, let me round out this exploration by highlighting the leader and manager aspects of each Follower Question:

FOLLOWER QUESTION	LEADER FOCUS	MANAGER FOCUS
VISION Where are we going; and, why?	Destination Strategy and plans	Check points Reports
ENERGY Can we do it?	Execution Taking-charge	Preparations Preserving resources
CULTURE How should we behave?	Winningz Decisions	Scorekeeping Control
TASK What output is required?	Bottom-line Benchmarks	Measures Monitoring
ORGANISATION Who else is coming along?	People Development	Records Programs
RENEWAL What if our world erupts?	Change Rethinking	Stability Maintaining
IN SUM...	CREATING	PRESERVING

Let me close by emphasising again, there is overlap and in many situations we must be both leaders and managers. The focus of the V|E|C|T|O|R framework is on actions leaders take to achieve specific Organisational Outcomes and make their followers more effective

Dr. Timothy Pascoe AM
PhD (Cambridge), MBA (Harvard), BE & BEc (Adelaide)
Creator, V|E|C|T|O|R Leadership^®

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