Are you a manager or a leader?
This Tuesday’s session of Microsoft Canada and the Canadian Information Procession Society’s (CIPS) Ignite Your Career Webcast Series, focused on How to Become a Great Leader.
The panel of manager/leaders from a diverse group of companies provided insights on what they have done individually to develop their own leadership qualities. The four agreed though that although there may be a gulf of difference between managers and leaders, obtaining the right combination of both skills would be a definite asset for any individual or organization.
“Managers generally tend to be given the task of maintaining the company status quo making – making sure that things are done and done right. They tend to be defined by their role or position,” says Greg Lane, director of business development for public service at IT consulting firm Avanade and current chair of CIPS.
But in running most organizations, skills in both areas are often indispensable.
As founding partner and principal consultant of corporate tech training company ObjectSharp Consulting in Toronto, Barry Gervin admits he often needs to be both leader and manager.