Leader or Administrator?

Too many people who need to be leaders are merely administrators.

Let me give you an example. Several years ago I consulted at the largest division of a FORTUNE 50 firm. I heard a common complaint about one of the vice presidents: no one (outside of her immediate circle of direct reports) had ever seen her.

This vice president was the highest ranking official at a plant site that housed tens of thousands of employees. Everyone sat in open cubicles and ate in the company cafeteria.

Intrigued by the invisible vice president, I went on a quest to find her. I wandered through building after building, and finally found a small section tucked away in a corner. All employees had free access to every other area of the plant, but this section was secured and locked. Behind the door were the vice president and a handful of employees.

This vice president spent her time reviewing reports and communicating with headquarters. She had no visibility with her employees (beyond her immediate staff). She was merely a number-cruncher. Thousands of employees had no one to guide them. She was a great administrator, but a poor leader.

While this example might seen extreme, I can assure you that such behavior at executive levels is not rare.

At The Free Dictionary you'll find thirteen definitions of "leader" taken from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition.

Definition #1 is "One that leads or guides." Hmmm, that one seems rather obvious. Definition #2 is "One who is in charge or in command of others." Definitions #3 and #4 deal with politics and music.

My favorite is definition #5: "The foremost animal, such as a horse or dog, in a harnessed team." Leaders are out in front of their team, and physically tied to their team. They set the pace. They provide direction and motivation.

What kind of leader are you?