John Kotter’s What Leaders Really Do encompasses the actual things that leaders are responsible for. Leaders are not those who are engaged in planning, conflict resolution, or people management; they actually lead employees to adapt to change and facilitate them to face challenges. It tells the reader about the various differences between management and leadership and how the two are directly associated. Managers work for encouraging steadiness while leaders advocate change. Also, satisfaction of basic human needs energize and motivate people within an organization.
I have learnt about the different leadership elements that can be developed for making oneself more valuable for one’s organization. I have also learnt that there are a number of differences between managers and leaders. Both management and leadership need to work together for the advancement of an organization (“HBR's 10 must reads on leadership”, 2011). Before reading this article, I thought that leaders and managers have same responsibilities. However, this article provided me a completely different perspective about their tasks and organizational activities.
I intend to apply the knowledge and lessons from this article by assessing my management and leadership skills and to utilize them appropriately. As a manager, I will try to cope with complex problems, devise correct solutions, and organize people (Hill, 2003). On the other hand, I will try to cope with change in a competitive corporate world (Howatt, 2008). In addition, I will figure out and implement my skills according to my job position. The creator of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, has managed to reach the zenith of success because of adapting to change and motivating his employees. By introducing cheap and improved communication speed to a common man as well as businesses, there is no denying that Zuckerberg has proved himself an efficient and competent leader at such a young age (Lussier & Achua, 2013).
References
HBR's 10 must reads on leadership. (2011). Boston, MA: Harvard Business Review Press.
Hill, L. A. (2003). Becoming a manager: How new managers master the challenges of leadership. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Press.
Howatt, W. A. (2008). Leadership vs. Management. Kentville, NS: Howatt HR Consulting.
Lussier, R. N., & Achua, C. F. (2013). Leadership: Theory, application & skill development. Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning.
