The Difference-Maker

Stephanie breaks down the key distinction between leadership and management, including the best advice for current and aspiring leaders alike, and the lessons that still echo from 2020.

Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Hi, this is Stephanie Maas.

(00:02):
When I'm being introduced to somebody for the first timeor just starting to get to know them a little bit better.
One of my favorite questions to ask them is, Hey, where do you really see your career going?
What's kind of the next steps for you?
Nine times outta 10, the response I get is something either in I see myself in management,or if they're a little bit more savvy, they'll say, I see myself in leadership.

(00:28):
This truly fascinates me as a response because personally and anyone that knows me.
Managing a party of one me is all the work that I need.
The idea of being in management or leadership just isn't attractive to me.
So I'm always curious when someone says, Hey, that's my next step.
I really wanna find out why and what exactly does that mean to them?

(00:51):
Here is what is so fascinating though.
Oftentimes when I hear people say, Hey, I really wanna be in leadership, or even ifthey use the word management, when I ask them to describe what does that exactly mean to them, they usually describe something that mirrors more the idea behind leadership.
But when we really talk about what that kind of entry level role intoleadership or management looks like, they're oftentimes a little like.

(01:19):
Oh, well, I don't know if I want that because the reality of it.
For you to be a true leader in your profession.
Oftentimes that doesn't come with a title or a somewhatanticipated, but not always executed pay raise.
Leadership is all about what you do, how you do it, andwho wants to be along with you while you're doing it.

(01:43):
Most of us, unfortunately, as we climb the career corporate ladder, it's management that's next.
And for most folks, management is two things.
It's a lot of administration and it's responsibility with no authority.
I don't hear anybody saying, man, I really hope that's my next step.

(02:04):
So as you think about your next steps, I.
And again, for some of you it may be, hey.
Yeah, being in management really does appeal to me, and hopefully giventhe opportunity, I will change that responsibility into authority.
Either way, as you think about your next steps, really spend some time thinking, what do youwant it to look like, feel like, and do you need a title to actually have it accomplished?

(02:27):
One of the unique aspects to our roles as search professionals is we get to hear the good, thebad, and the ugly from our candidates leaders who are doing it well, knocking it outta the park.
I also get to hear about those leaders that have probablylost sight of why they are really in leadership to begin with.

(02:48):
One of the most encouraging parts of my role has been the stories where leadership.
Was the difference maker.
You know, we're not all in the same boat.
Some of us have life rafts, some of us are in yachts.
You know, we're not, you know, all in, in the same part of the storm.
Some of us are literally, it's coming from everywhere.

(03:08):
It's a tornado and a hurricane all at the same time.
For some of us, it's just a heavy rain.
Phenomenal leaders, regardless of their situation, there's people, situations, say, Hey.
I might be in a yacht and if I have room, I'm gonna pull you in with me.
If I don't, I'm gonna be beside you, holding your hand from my yacht, yourlifeboat, to the best of my ability in hopes that we can get to the shore together.

(03:35):
I have to tell you sometimes I really appreciate bad leadership.
Let me explain what I mean.
2020 was fascinating for me.
The role that I have.
Not only did I get to experience it firsthand in terms of how my own personal leadership teamhandled everything with our firm, but I also got to hear it almost on a daily basis from you talking through, Hey, these are some of the things our leaders have done to make this be palatable.

(04:08):
Here's where my leadership really failed.
This is where they dropped the ball at the one-on-one level, at an organizationallevel, and of course at a mega level, at major organizations, companies, et cetera.
But good leadership can be a significant.
Difference maker.

(04:29):
If you're in a leadership situation and you say, Hey, this is tough.
I don't know what I'm doing.
I don't know how I'm doing it.
Let me share with you a very basic principle that I was reminded of today, andit really reflects in all the stories that I've been hearing about great leaders.
And here's what it is.
People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.

(04:55):
I know that's a little warm, fuzzy kind of fluffy, but it's sincere right now.
Human beings are being, I really believe, pushed to their limits.
They're overworked, they're stressed, and just simply starting with, Hey, how are you doing today?
It's one of the easiest ways to say, Hey, we might have business to attend to, and that's fine.

(05:17):
We need to, but before we jump in.
Let's talk about you, the individual, and let me show that I actually care.
So let me offer this.
If you're a leader and you think you've done a good job, don't stop.
Keep doing what you're doing and keep seeking how to be better.
If you're a leader and you maybe mucked it up a little bit, figure out how you can do better.

(05:42):
Seek to do better.
If you wanna be in leadership, take the time to write down when haveyou experienced good leadership and when did you experience bad?
And remember that for when you get your shot, becauseat the end of the day, leadership is a difference maker.