Business executive and leadership expert, Dr. Edward Ato Sarpong, says one of the keys to becoming a successful leader is to lead an organisation rather than manage it.
Edward Ato Sarpong, in his Eyewitness to Leadership book, explores the essential differences between leadership and management.
Writing in Chapter 4, titled “Called to Lead; Appointed to Manage,” he notes that leadership and management differ in five ways thus nature, source of power, motives and mindset, and perspectives.
“A company over-managed has limited opportunity for growth and a bleak future. An organization over-led can still preserve the present and create the future,” he noted.
His insights were inspired by a chance encounter with Chiyo, a young Japanese woman, on a flight from China.
Chiyo’s meticulous actions before landing, including cleaning up her area and returning items to their original place, left a lasting impression on him.
“In Japan, we are taught to find something that is worth doing and do it,” Chiyo said.
“We are taught not to leave a place worse than we found it. We are to leave our history in a much better state than we inherited it.”
He highlights that “management creates an environment of passiveness whereas leadership creates an inspiring, ambitious, and action-oriented environment.”
Born a leader, made through commitment: the path to fulfillment starts with a personal pledge, “Eyewitness to Leadership,” offers practical wisdom for leaders and managers seeking to drive growth and success.
For a deeper dive into leadership and management, get your copy of ‘Eyewitness to Leadership at the Challenge Bookshop and Baatsona Total.
