I loved the excerpt from HBR’s tip of the day and later reading the article “True Leaders are Also Managers”. A leader who doesn’t manage is like an orchestra conductor who suddenly forgets to give the tempo:
The distinction between leading and managing is a subject of ongoing debate. Leading is often characterized as the more glamorous job: leaders guide, influence, and inspire their people while managers implement ideas and get things done. But leaders who focus exclusively on coming up with big, vague ideas for others to implement can become disconnected from their team or organization. Avoid being a “big-picture only” leader. Make decisions and develop strategies that take into account the real-world constraints of cost and time. Stay involved with the details of implementation. Sure it’s easier to come up with ideas and tell others to make them so, but you also need to roll up your sleeves and understand what it takes to make those ideas a reality.” – Robert I. Sutton
Striking the right balance between leading and managing is crucial. Leaders that stay grounded in the details while guiding their teams can create a more cohesive, effective organization. It’s about rolling up your sleeves and understanding every step of the process, not just dreaming up the next big idea.