Which method do you choose to help your organisation reach its goal? Speeches or systems? Or speeches and systems?
I think management skills are essential in a well-run company. The Economist created an entertaining podcast that illustrates this point more eloquently (and alliteratively) than I can.
Have a listen to this story of students hiking in Norway and how motivational speeches stacked up against management systems for reaching their destination.
To borrow a quote:
Leaders have systems, not superpowers.
I would argue that systems ARE superpowers, since they enable you to do things that people without systems can’t.
As the leader it is your responsibility to create the systems that support (not stifle) your colleagues in achieving their objectives. They don’t always have the skills to create those systems themselves, and that’s where they need you.
Don’t abandon them to sink or swim under the guise of “empowerment”. I’ve been at the receiving end of such an approach and it’s simply bad management. Instead, give employees the right tools to get the job done. That’s empowerment. That’s your superpower.
© Veridia Consulting, 2023
