Here at ProWorkflow, leadership is an essential component to inspiring our team to work harder and to work smarter. We believe that good management comes from a balance of leading and managing.

Leading:

There are a few vital attributes that leaders have. Whether this is their ability to influence others; to inspire people, or to motivate team members to do better. Having this accountability makes them more engaged to do better.

But above all, a good leader works by involving their team and walking alongside them rather than directing them to do tasks. Think of this as a long-term investment, where you build people up so that they can grow beyond what you expect of them.

Management:

There are definitely places where management and leadership overlap, but there is a clear distinction between the two when looking at extremes. On one extreme, micro-managing increases an employee’s fear of getting into trouble, thus your employees work harder. On the other extreme, leaders gain respect as employees strive to be like them by working more diligently.

Think about this for a second.

Both are means to the same end but have very different consequences in the long run.

So where to from here?

Nevertheless, management and leadership go hand in hand. For your business to be successful, you have to think of your employees not as resources, but team members.

Everyone has their ambitions – yourself, your friends, your family, and so do your employees. Giving them the opportunity to grow alongside the management team not only brings satisfaction to an individual but also boosts morale for the entire team.

DO’S:

Have integrity and be accountable for your team. A good leader best demonstrates their traits and vision through leading by example. If you want your team to have these qualities, first walk the talk, and the rest will follow through.

This is where retention comes in. A good leader will be able to retain team members much longer than a good manager would.

DO NOT’S:

Do not micromanage! Imagine having someone constantly watching you and your every move. Not only is this an unpleasant way to manage, but it gives the impression to your team that they are not trustworthy to do their work.

Being a good manager and leader means trusting your employees to work and perform just as you would when given the opportunity.

 

Got a question? The team at ProWorkflow are happy to help!