Some Leaders Motivate, Others Administer, While Real Leaders Do

There is no doubt that one of the essential traits needed for effective and meaningful leadership is the ability to motivate. However, as essential as being a motivator is, unless someone in a position of leadership can translate that motivation, and use it as a weapon in his arsenal of addressing needs by taking timely action, the motivation will ultimately go for naught, because followers will lose their patience and allegiance unless they see results. On the other hand, while there are administrative actions and needs in leadership, merely being an administrator makes one a manager, and not a leader. True leaders combine motivation with action to transform dreams and goals, into the actions needed to become reality. After more than three decades of professionally consulting to well over a thousand leaders, I fully realize that motivation and administration on duties performed by leaders, but that only when the emphasis is on focusing on an organization's mission, its present and future needs, and society as a whole, can someone take the steps to right the ship, and evolve an organization to become most relevant, and therefore, most sustainable.

1. If someone spends most of his time on administration, he is simply not a real leader. While it is important to act responsibly in this area, and assure that systems are in place for optimum performance and implementation, most aspects of administration are best suited for a manager, and not a leader. While the rare and most effective manager is often a fine leader, in most situations, managers often lack the creativity, motivational skills, and vision required of an effective and great leader. On the other hand, if someone merely motivates, he is probably not going to be a great leader, either. Motivation without implementation is like having an appetite but satisfying it with far less than an exquisite meal. While it is essential for a great leader to also be a fabulous motivator, he must use that motivation to get followers to buy into his vision, and direct them to taking needed actions in a timely manner.

2. The true test of the great leader is not what he says, nor is how well he can handle paperwork, etc., but rather how well he can focus on the big picture, and the true needs of his organization. That means that a real leader, while he must be able and willing to motivate others, must understand that it will lead nowhere unless accompanied with both a plan, and the willingness to take timely action, whether it is popular or against the popular tide, if he feels strongly that his action is a vital one. Great leaders follow their vision and lead others towards achievement of a mission, by setting goals, motivating others to follow, and developing a plan of action.

If you just want to motivate, become a coach. If you are only interested in the details, become a manager or supervisor. However, if you want to be a leader, you must conceptualize, have a vision and goals, motivate others, and be willing to take timely action.