Management or Leadership! Part I of II

Today's business environment requires Good Managers to be Leaders and many managers lack Leadership skills! Business managers must be Leaders if your business is going to thrive. Today's educated employees must be lead and if they simply become another employee that receives homogeneous treatment like all other employees, they will not last long as an integral and important part of a successful organization. There is no question that turnover, inability to attract and keep highly qualified employees and Managers with poor Leadership skills are congruous! Our economy has undergone a metamorphosis from an industrial to a service based economy. Employee and customer “sensitivity” become tantamount to success in a Service based economy! Leaders, therefore, not just mundane managers are needed to create an atmosphere of care for employees and customers!

Most (not necessarily all) Managers will execute owner or corporate issued mandates with some degree of efficiency. However, the difference in methodical Management and dynamic Management with genuine Leadership skills becomes evident if you are making the correct observations as an owner. Observations made during the hiring process can give some portent of leadership skills, but more importantly are observations and revelations subsequent to hiring influencing your choice for a management position!

There is no question that the interviewing process is the most important factor when trying to hire a qualified Manager that has apparent Leadership skills! Past employment, education, references are all components that play into the final decision. However, asking the right questions and the answers to those questions will be the most prominent factor of your decision if utilized correctly. These are a few examples of questions to present to the prospect:

1. Have you ever been in a position where you had to lead by giving examples? If yes, explain to me how you provided examples. (You should be looking for answers that evolve around leading by their example!)

2. If you were in management or team captain (athletics) positions, how did you accomplish giving orders to your team? (Giving orders is bad terminology, see how they react and if they agree to “giving orders,” it is a negative sign!)

3. What is the biggest problem or pet peeve you have had with managers you have worked for? (You are looking for answers such as lack of communications, no feedback, never knew where I stood etc.)

4. If you are hired to direct my team of 8 people, all with experience, how would you earn their respect? (Look for answers that are indicative of showing interest in them individually, holding team meetings for feedback etc.)

There are many other interview questions and responses that could be used. Pertinent examples may be based on the needs of the position and of course the type of business and environment of the business!

Part two, next week, will delve into analyzing your business to determine the Leadership skills of your management!

Randy Snyder is a business writer and a regular contributor to Salesheads! His experience consist of 25 years in executive management with national chains and 12 years of consulting with major specialty chains! He can be reached at rsnyder921@aol.com or (p) 239 481 0844.