Formulas, Leadership, Management, and Business Success

Formulas sometimes make things easy to see, that appeared to be complex, because they simplify things. But they can also cause misinterpretation and confusion.

To start with:

“=>” means “creates,” or “results in.”


Systems + Processes => Consistency => Improved Business Performance => Profits

Good Habits => Dopamine => Improved Personal Performance => Profits

Bad Habits => Dopamine => Degraded Personal Performance => Losses

Neuroscience is giving us the proof of common wisdom and helps us to understand why we behave as we do. It's why we often talk about working on ourselves to achieve success first, because the people who work in your business, supply your business, or buy your products/services, are far more complex than what you do to deliver your products/services.

Ownership = Leadership (People) + Management (Systems + Processes)

Ownership - Management = Energized Chaos (Leader-Centric Focus)

Ownership - Leadership = Disengagement, Calcification, Erosion (Manager-Centric Focus)

A Google search of Leadership vs. Management will produce far more results that talk about the importance of Leadership over Management. Going back to the 1970's, it became a pretty popular approach.

Is it valid?

At the time, the case could be made that we were discovering more about the need to better lead people than we had been leading them. The Industrial Revolution that came to fruition in the early 20th Century, depended on effective and efficient management. It tended to focus on The Organization Man, and fitting into the process. Yes, it did make sense as we transitioned into The Information Age and Knowledge Workers to shift our focus more to Leadership and less on Management. Given the complexity of dealing with people (remember the Dopamine equations?), it still makes sense to work to be a better leader... constantly.

Because our people will deliver more and better than ever before, if they are well led.

But is it OK to De-emphasize Management?

Not if you wish to deliver a great product/service (an absolute necessity in a Global Economy, even if you are just a local business). Today, it's too easy for people to switch quickly if you fall short. And it is Management (using Systems and Processes) that deliver that great product/service with consistency. It's how to ensure people know what to do, how to do it, and to guarantee the quality needed when they do it. It's how to train people in ways that don't depend on you as Owner/Leader all of the time.

If you think about it, when a business/organization depends on Management to be completely involved in EVERYTHING to get things done well, it's another name for micro-management. And it limits the scalability of the business, because to get bigger in that environment, there's a temptation for Owners/Leaders to abdicate.

Good Leadership Today = Coach and Develop Good Habits... in Everyone

Good Management Today = Continually Assess and Improve Systems and Processes

Is it a tall order to do both ?

Absolutely! But it's essential if you want to own a successful business today, and tomorrow grow it into a business/organization.


How do I get started?

·  There are TONS of books, YouTube videos, podcasts, you name it.

·  There are courses, workshops, webinars...keep naming it.

·  And, of course, there are trusted advisors, and coaches.

·  So, get started with doing something!

Take ACTION NOW!