What transforms a manager into a leader?

One of the main things I think helps – is having a philosophic conversation on what it means to be a good manager. Often – management training is about – processes and reporting expectations.

What transforms a manager into a leader – is actually philosophy. Giving people time to think about what the ethical thing to do is. How to use ethics to help motivate people to do good work. How to use ethics to set goals that people can rally around and want to work for.  Ethical philosophy is perhaps the most underrated skill but it’s what distinguishes a leader from a manager.

What I like to see is activities that pose questions and allow participants to have ethical discussions about what a good solution might look like. Or what is an ideal ethical method for dealing with a lying employee for instance. The great thing about ethics is that the best way to teach it is to pose questions and let people – think and discuss it.

I have online courses – and a new book on this actually – Applied Humanism: How to create more effective and ethical businesses. http://humanismforbusiness.com/

Also - check out this online course:
https://humanistlearning.com/principles-of-humanistic-leadership/

Servant Leadership

I love the concept of servant leadership and it’s how I view the role of a manager.

When there is work to be done, people need to do it. But to do the work, they need tools, training and supplies. The role of the manager is to make sure people have what they need to do the work they have been asked to do

This is a very egalitarian model and it is consistent with my instincts as a Humanistic Manager, which is not to elevate one human above the rest, but to help each other build something cool together.

This sort of leadership requires humility. Understanding that the project isn’t about the manager. It’s about the project getting done and getting done well.

Humility also helps a leader to listen to the staff and respect their input when something goes wrong so it can be fixed. The last thing anyone wants or needs when there is a problem is a mandate to do something that not only won’t fix the problem, but that will make the problem harder to solve.

Finally, being a servant means serving. There is a problem to  be solved, the servant dedicates themselves to solving it. It is in this last area that shines for me as a Humanist.  I want to make things better. Not just for myself, but for others and for the communities in which I live.  This is my primary motivation in life.

Servant leadership in business isn’t just focused on business, and management. It’s also focused on why the business exists in the first place and what sort of impact the business is having on their customers, their employees and the communities in which they operate.

Solving a problem for yourself by creating problems for others – IS NOT servant leadership or humanistic leadership. So take your role as a leader/manager seriously and get to work helping us solve our problems.

To learn more – check out these courses

• Principles of Humanistic Management
• Seven Sins of Staff Management