Embracing your inner Clark Kent
I was researching some information about what characteristics are found in good leaders when I found an old (2001) article published by the Harvard Business Review. (Click here to see the original article)
As I was reading, I kept asking myself, “am I a leader or a manager?”
This question was quickly followed by, “Does it matter, and if so…why?”
In my role as president of ThirsTea Corporation, I had always viewed my position as “leader.” I mean executing the big-picture, long-range plan for our company (as laid out by the owners of the company, of which I am one,) squarely falls on my shoulders. We (the owners) have a goal for where we want to be one year, three years, five years and ten years from today. And as president, it’s my job to make sure we get there.
I can clearly see the vision in my head. I know where we will be at this time next year. I know the steps we need to take to make sure we get to our goals. I’ve got a great team in place to help make sure everything gets done on time, and correctly.
But according to the HBR article, there are great managers who never become leaders. So again, am I a leader or a manager, and does it matter?
One of the contributing professors used the analogy of “Clark Kent” vs. “Superman”. Clark seemed to be the embodiment of the manager, taking care of the day-to-day stuff and interacting with people on a daily basis. Superman,obviously, was the role model for leadership. He stood for something (truth, justice and the American way) even when he was just standing there with his hands on his hips looking towards the heavens.
Of course the two were actually one in the same. There is no Clark Kent without Superman. Does that mean you can’t be a good leader without being a good manager? Maybe. Although I am sure there are plenty of examples out there of good leaders who were ordinary, or perhaps terrible, managers.
Personally, I’m not quite sure I am there as a good leader yet. I show promise, and I am confident I will get there someday. The cape is in my wardrobe; I’ll wear it one day.
For now…for now I’ll be happy as a mild mannered manager. (One who is apparently amused with alliteration.)
Bonus Question:
Obviously I had to go with the Superman theme for today’s question.
Superman’s Kryptonian name was Kal-el. His cousin, Supergirl, also had a Kryptonian name. What was it?
