Comments on: To Lead or Not to Lead? 7 Key Questions for Managers and Aspiring Leaders http://www.buildingbetterleaders.com/2010/01/11/to-lead-or-not-to-lead-7-key-questions-for-managers-and-aspiring-leaders/ Professional Mentoring for Serious Professionals Mon, 06 Sep 2010 12:50:45 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Wally Bock http://www.buildingbetterleaders.com/2010/01/11/to-lead-or-not-to-lead-7-key-questions-for-managers-and-aspiring-leaders/comment-page-1/#comment-62 Wally Bock Tue, 12 Jan 2010 23:18:23 +0000 http://www.buildingbetterleaders.com/?p=790#comment-62 This is a great post about an important issue. Far too many companies select new bosses based on something besides the likelihood they will do well in the role. Your questions help get at that. Readers should also know that your book, Practical Lessons in Leadership, is one of very few that offer realistic and actionable advice on how to decide if being a boss is for you.. Now that I've buttered you up, let me suggest a couple of questions to add to the list. Are you willing to talk to other people about their behavior or performance? Do you enjoy helping other people succeed? This next one is a variant of one you've already got. The wording comes from a fellow who took my program many years ago: Are you comfortable with the fact that once you're a boss, the team is your destiny? This is a great post about an important issue. Far too many companies select new bosses based on something besides the likelihood they will do well in the role. Your questions help get at that. Readers should also know that your book, Practical Lessons in Leadership, is one of very few that offer realistic and actionable advice on how to decide if being a boss is for you..

Now that I’ve buttered you up, let me suggest a couple of questions to add to the list.

Are you willing to talk to other people about their behavior or performance?

Do you enjoy helping other people succeed?

This next one is a variant of one you’ve already got. The wording comes from a fellow who took my program many years ago: Are you comfortable with the fact that once you’re a boss, the team is your destiny?

]]> By: Pawel Brodzinski http://www.buildingbetterleaders.com/2010/01/11/to-lead-or-not-to-lead-7-key-questions-for-managers-and-aspiring-leaders/comment-page-1/#comment-61 Pawel Brodzinski Tue, 12 Jan 2010 11:37:08 +0000 http://www.buildingbetterleaders.com/?p=790#comment-61 When it comes to planning a career I would <a href="http://blog.brodzinski.com/2008/12/difference-between-managers-and-leaders.html" rel="nofollow">separate management from leadership</a>. How I see this issue is: - When I think about my career I think about roles I fulfill. The role is being a manager. I believe a good manager is always a good leader but there are people who differ here - they aren't good leaders as we understand it but they still consider themselves as successful managers. That's however another discussion. - When I think about my personal development considering my career goals I think about leadership since this is a key feat for being a manager. And this is the point where I come to your questions. But at the same time I can't forget about questions regarding management (e.g. whether I'm willing to fight for my team in office politics fights etc), which are usually much more dependent on organizations you work in. When it comes to planning a career I would separate management from leadership. How I see this issue is:

- When I think about my career I think about roles I fulfill. The role is being a manager. I believe a good manager is always a good leader but there are people who differ here – they aren’t good leaders as we understand it but they still consider themselves as successful managers. That’s however another discussion.

- When I think about my personal development considering my career goals I think about leadership since this is a key feat for being a manager. And this is the point where I come to your questions. But at the same time I can’t forget about questions regarding management (e.g. whether I’m willing to fight for my team in office politics fights etc), which are usually much more dependent on organizations you work in.

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