Leadership Lessons For Sales Managers

Leadership, like class, is hard to define, but easyprogress are forged on the anvil of constructive
to spot.conflict.
Someone once defined management as "the- Leaders are willing to be unloved! In the words
effective coordination of the efforts of theof Admiral John S. McCain (the late father of the
individuals in a group to accomplish that statedSenator): "People may not love you for being
objectives of the organization." Managers getstrong when you have to be, but they will
results by establishing goals and working with andrespect you for it and learn to behave
through people to achieve those goals.themselves when you do." Try it; it works!
As a manager, your success depends on yourQualities of an Effective Leader
ability to:- Leaders are purposeful; they have a clear view
- Find and attract career-oriented men andof their objectives and avoid digressions into
women who have the knowledge, skills andirrelevancy.
attitudes to do the job, who are motivated to- Leaders know their stuff; they have a thorough
work, and who will cooperate with you and eachgrasp of their subjects, when possible, backed up
other, and;with hands-on experience.
- Develop and manage these people to meet- Leaders are prepared. No matter how well you
specific performance standards.know what you're talking about, choose
Management is a process because it involves aappropriate ways of getting your message
series of skills. But management is as muchacross. Avoid shortcuts.
attitude as it is skills. Managers should be helpful- Leaders are enthusiastic, but season their
supporters, working to build trust and confidence,enthusiasm with intelligence and appropriate
and seeking to improve performance byhumor.
recognizing that individuals have different needs,- Leaders understand the use of drama. Dull is
motivations and aspirations.boring, so cultivate a sense of staging, especially
That means, the more of a leader you are, thewhen addressing a group.
better manager you will be.- Leaders are confident and easy-going.
Happily, most leaders are made, not born. TheyRegardless of their management style, they
are cultivated, shaped and strengthened byspeak clearly, projecting their voices and looking
education, training and real-world experience.people in the eye. Distinct speech is a sign of
Understanding leadership AND management is adistinct ideas; self-assurance catches on.
good way of becoming more proficient at both.- Leaders maintain a positive attitude. They never
What is leadership? What does it take to be aspeak ill of their organizations or of individuals
leader? Here's a short course:under their management. The glass is always half
- Leadership means having a mission and inspiringfull, never half empty.
others to be committed to it. The mission is- Leaders demonstrate the contagion of example.
everything; leaders approach it with enthusiasm.It's not enough to talk the talk; leaders must walk
- Leaders are agents of change; they makethe walk.
decisions based on a vision of the future, not just- Leaders support their subordinates, giving them
on established directions.the widest possible authority and discretion, while
- Leaders take risks to make things happen thatkeeping responsibility centralized with themselves.
would not otherwise happen.- Leaders live the U.S. Army's motto: Adapt,
- Leaders need a combination of competence,Improvise and Overcome.
integrity, credibility and authority. They're seen asLeadership Makes Businesses Work
being involved in a lot of things and able toIf management ability keeps systems operating
answer a lot of questions.efficiently, leadership identifies management needs
Leadership is a collaborative, not individual, process.and seeks systems to address them. If
It's the ability to get people to do what you wantmanagement skills are required to administer
them to because they want to do it!existing programs and systems, it takes
- Leaders help people do their best.leadership to create a vision of success, and get
- Leaders depend on themselves and act on theirpeople excited about attaining it.
own authority, but they recognize the importanceIn short, leadership-provided by agency heads,
of others.sales managers and other members of the
- Leaders ask questions and know how to listen.management team-makes businesses work. It
- Leaders let others talk; they don't talk aboutenables them develop to the limits of their
themselves.potential, then helps them break those limits.
Leadership begins when people disagree.Want More? Send comments and questions to w.
- Leaders recognize that performance and