Leadership vs. Management

  Dr. Larry Richard and Susan Raridon Lambreth of Hildebrandt describe their view of the differences between law firm management and leadership in this Law Practice Today article.   To quote Richard and Lambreth,

"Management is about making sure that clear goals are established and then carried out, despite organizational size, number of offices, sub-specialization, and other forms of complexity. It is focused on the short-term (usually one-year increments), and depends on analytical, rational, data-based, cognitive strategies to be effective. Leadership, on the other hand, is focused on a longer time horizon (five years or more); is much more people-focused, inspirational, emotional, non-linear and visceral. To lead, you must gain buy-in and commitment. When the people you are leading are also owners of the firm, the need for buy-in is even greater."

They refer frequently to the leadership training model of Kouzes and Posner called, "The Leadership Challenge", which emphasizes five practices of leadership:

1. Model the way
2. Inspire a shared vision.
3. Challenge the process.
4. Enable others to act.
5. Encourage the heart.

I'm just now making my way through their book, but the process and five simple, but not easy, practices are a terrific model for leadership development.

Thank you, Larry and Susan, for a great article.