Why having a vision isn’t enough to be an effective leader | Suzy Welch for Big Think+

Summary

In this video, Suzy Welch, a professor at NYU Stern School of Business, emphasizes the crucial balance between managing and leading in the role of a 'lanager'—a blend of both skills. She highlights the importance of clear communication, making tough decisions, and taking responsibility for mistakes. A successful lanager navigates between the strategic 'why' and the tactical 'how,' translating these ideas between different groups. Welch stresses that effective leadership requires conviction, integrity, and the courage to make difficult calls, ultimately fostering respect and trust within teams.

Takeaways

• 😀 Dreaming big is essential, but without execution, you will lose the respect of your team.
• 😀 Focusing solely on tactical tasks without offering a clear vision will also cause people to dislike you.
• 😀 The roles of manager and leader should blend together; a successful person in charge balances both managing and leading.
• 😀 Managers and leaders must explain the 'why' behind tasks, not just the 'how,' to ensure commitment and understanding from their team.
• 😀 Good managers provide clarity by sharing the vision and purpose of the work, just like a drummer must understand the song's meaning.
• 😀 Managers should seamlessly shift between discussing the 'why' and the 'how' of a task, sometimes even in the same conversation.
• 😀 The 'lanager' is a blend of manager and leader, translating needs between teams and upper management, taking a stand while maintaining diplomacy.
• 😀 Effective communication and integrity are key traits of a good lanager—avoid being neutral and always stand by your principles.
• 😀 Making decisions, including difficult ones, is a fundamental part of leadership. Failing to make decisions stunts organizational progress.
• 😀 Owning your mistakes and learning from them builds respect and trust with your team, showing that vulnerability can strengthen leadership.
• 😀 Balancing high-level strategy with day-to-day execution is a complex challenge, but it’s a critical part of being an effective lanager.

Q & A

What is the main idea behind the concept of 'lanager' introduced in the script?

The concept of 'lanager' is a blend of both manager and leader roles, highlighting that in real-world business, a person must balance both visionary leadership and tactical management. The term emphasizes that leadership and management are not separate but interconnected responsibilities.

Why does the speaker argue that it is crucial for leaders to communicate the 'why' behind tasks?

The speaker emphasizes that explaining the 'why' behind tasks is essential because it helps team members understand the purpose and meaning of their work, which enables them to be more invested and perform better. Just as a drummer needs to understand the song's meaning, employees need to understand the purpose behind their actions.

How does the speaker describe the role of a 'lanager' in bridging the gap between the team and upper management?

The speaker describes a 'lanager' as a simultaneous translator between the team and upper management, conveying the message between both sides while taking a stand. Unlike being a neutral messenger, a 'lanager' explains and interprets both perspectives with conviction and diplomacy.

What does the speaker mean by the term 'fingerprintless lanager'?

A 'fingerprintless lanager' refers to a leader who lacks conviction and fails to make their own decisions, instead agreeing with whoever is the loudest or most persuasive. This lack of personal integrity and firm decision-making leads to resentment from the team.

Why is it important for a 'lanager' to take ownership of mistakes, according to the speaker?

Taking ownership of mistakes is important because it builds trust and respect. The speaker highlights that acknowledging errors, learning from them, and sharing those lessons with the team fosters a more effective leadership environment, as people respect leaders who are honest and accountable.

What are some of the hardest decisions a 'lanager' must make?

Some of the hardest decisions a 'lanager' must make involve people decisions, such as determining who should fill specific roles and managing their responsibilities. These decisions are often difficult due to their impact on individuals' careers and the overall team dynamics.

How does the speaker view the role of an individual contributor compared to a 'lanager'?

The speaker acknowledges that being an individual contributor or a board member is relatively easier compared to being a 'lanager.' While individual contributors focus on specific tasks and board members concentrate on big-picture strategy, a 'lanager' must balance both roles simultaneously, which is far more complex.

What is the significance of conviction for a 'lanager' in their decision-making process?

Conviction is crucial for a 'lanager' because it ensures that they stand by their decisions, even when faced with opposition or uncertainty. Leaders with strong principles are respected, and their integrity enhances their reputation, even if it means facing difficult outcomes.

What is the speaker's perspective on making mistakes in leadership?

The speaker encourages embracing mistakes as a learning opportunity. Acknowledging and owning mistakes is more effective than distancing oneself from them. Leaders who admit their mistakes and show what they've learned earn respect and demonstrate their ability to grow and improve.

Why does the speaker criticize those who only focus on tactical, logistical work without providing vision?

The speaker criticizes individuals who focus solely on tactical, logistical tasks without offering vision because such an approach leads to resentment. While execution is important, it is equally essential to inspire and guide the team by providing a broader vision and purpose.