Leadership / General Management: One Size Fits All?

Navigating Leadership in General Management

The world of leadership in general management is not one size fits all. You begin your journey as a supervisor, guiding a small team of specialists, and, through a combination of strategic planning and diligence, you may find yourself at the helm of a significant organisation as the CEO.

This journey, filled with its share of challenges and intricacies, is less about moving up through the corporate hierarchy and more about transitioning from execution to strategic leadership.

The different stages of General Management and Leadership

General management roles are not all the same. Depending on where you stand in the hierarchy—from the  senior middle manager to the CEO—your focus shifts.

Early on, your expertise in a specific area may be your strength. As you advance, however, that expertise becomes less important, and your role transforms from doing to leading.

Initially, you might be actively involved in the work, much like a gardener tending to their plants. As you progress, you step back to become the landscape architect, designing a thriving organisational environment where every member contributes effectively to achieve the overarching business objectives.

If this transition is not effectively managed, however, the impact on productivity can be significant, as teams may struggle to align their efforts with broader organisational goals.

The Challenges of Integration and Alignment

As managers progress in their careers, they encounter various challenges associated with integrating different functions. Each department has its own priorities, and it becomes your responsibility to align these sometimes conflicting goals while maintaining a broader strategic perspective—often looking six months to a year ahead. Effectively managing multiple stakeholders with diverse expectations is crucial; failure to do so can lead to disjointed efforts that ultimately hamper productivity across the organisation.

The Art of Letting Go

Making this shift means learning to relinquish control over the finer details. It becomes more about crafting a vision and fostering an environment where your team can flourish.

You transition from being the hands-on gardener to becoming the architect of a cohesive plan.

Accountability remains vital; creating the right conditions for teams to succeed is your new responsibility, as poor accountability can lead to lower morale and decreased productivity when employees lack clear direction.

Growth Through Transition

However, this transition isn't always straightforward. Many individuals struggle when moving into roles that demand a different skill set.

How often do we see a first-line manager overwhelmed with individual tasks, neglecting their more strategic responsibilities?

Or a general manager caught up in the minutiae of their previous role?

If your boss continues to handle tasks meant for you, it can pull everyone back into the operational weeds, leading to inefficiencies and a detrimental effect on productivity.

The Big Question: Are We Preparing Future Leaders?

This leads us to a pressing question: How many organisations genuinely prepare their leaders for the demands of their new roles? Establishing clear expectations around leadership at all levels is essential. Yet many businesses focus solely on operational and financial outputs without providing clarity regarding the necessary leadership skills.

Leadership is not a one-size-fits-all concept; it varies depending on the demands of the organisation, the team, and the specific level of the role.

You can tell an organisation—or a hiring manager—lacks this understanding when they ask the clichéd interview question, "What’s your leadership style?" This question suggests a fixed notion of leadership that revolves around the individual's preferences or ego, rather than recognising that effective leadership must adapt to the unique needs of the organisation, its personnel, and the changing demands of each hierarchical level.

When leadership training is lacking, those in managerial positions may revert to a “worker bee” mentality, prioritising tasks over talent development. This not only compromises their own effectiveness but breeds a culture where busyness is mistaken for productivity. In such an environment, vital strategic initiatives can be sidelined, ultimately harming overall productivity and the organisation’s performance.

Embracing Diverse Types of Leadership

It's also important to recognise the diversity of leadership roles. General management functions can vary significantly, encompassing planning and advisory duties, coordination between stakeholders, or direct accountability for business results in specific areas. Leaders must adjust their approach depending on the type of role and the unique challenges it presents.

Transitioning within your type of role may be relatively straightforward, but shifting across to a completely different role can be quite challenging. It requires a fresh mindset, new skills, and considerable patience. Productivity can suffer if leaders are not equipped to navigate the nuances of their new responsibilities, as confusion can lead to misaligned efforts and wasted resources.

You need to adjust your approach to thrive at all levels

As you navigate the intricate maze of general management, remember that this journey involves thriving at all levels within an organisation. By fostering an environment of accountability, clarity, and ongoing development, leaders can empower their teams to achieve new heights.

Remember that leadership is not static; it evolves at each level of the hierarchy. Failing to recognise this can trap you in the habits that once made you effective but will hinder your progress.

Many leaders struggle to step up, caught in a cycle of busyness that results in unproductive behaviours and ultimately harms overall organisational performance.

It’s crucial to be clear about the expectations at each stage and to embrace the shift in focus required to lead effectively. Recognise that thriving as a leader means adapting your approach to meet the demands of your role, driving productivity, and empowering your team to achieve their potential.

Be clear, step up, redefine your leadership, and rebalance your approach at each stage of the journey.