As a student of leadership and as a “Benchmark” Assessor for the Center for Creative Leadership, I am well aware of the impact poor leadership has on results.  The problem, in my mind, is the historical emphasis on styles more appropriate to factory settings than businesses that actually interface with the public.

The difference between a manager and a leader is significant and that point is often missed.  Both are responsible for accomplishing goals but one has a greater responsibility of setting goals than the other.  Both are responsible for optimizing performance but one is focused almost entirely on the day to day while the other must balance the day to day with the bigger picture of how to prepare for the future.

The dysfunctionality of the manufacturing style of managing has been widely known for at least two decades.  It gets work done but does not optimize performance.  As Drucker says so eloquently:  It creates “job impoverishment, not job enrichment”.   Building a team of high performers is quickly becoming one of the Critical Keys to Success for all businesses but even more so for DeathCare.

I am a “semi fan” of Seth Godin’s.  As a rule ranters make me uncomfortable.  But I subscribe to his blog because every six weeks or so he coughs up a gem and this link is one.  It will take you two minutes so  Click here to read it for yourself.