Does leadership look different for small and large companies?

During a recent presentation to a small business owner "has over its people," asked me, "a small company than a large company, how does the leadership look? "

The answer is, we first need to define "leadership." Although at least 150 definitions of leadership exist, I found that always works well is: to lead others to act and the objectives they are not otherwise motivated to achieve on their own will have the ability to influence.

Leadership and management are two different subjects, but do not print this one, read many management texts to be found on library and bookstore shelves.

A large number of authors erroneously as a subset of management practice lead line. Management is a short-term focus that emphasizes transactions within a defined structure is hierarchical with the status quo. Manage things organized, monitored, controlled, and about budget needs.

Leadership, on the other hand, is about people, communicating a vision, and motivating and inspiring others about the innovation that will help bring the company's growth.

Many large organizations, the title "manager" used to designate the people responsible for planning, organizing, and money, space, time, resources and physical assets as a control. Unfortunately, too many knots with the management of these other assets "managing people" people.

Through human resource practices of some large companies to maintain the myth that rewards "people management" that "leadership" of the established hierarchy to improve performance rather than places brings changes.

The 1999 book Management Challenges for the 21st century, Peter Drucker said, "a" management "people do not work .. and for people to lead productive to target specific strengths and knowledge of each individual to make is "(p. 21).

Leaders in high-performance companies understand and appreciate the differences between management and leadership. Senior leaders ensure that processes and programs are in place at all levels of the organization to develop skills in both disciplines.

Well-run organizations leadership operates on three levels.

Strategic leadership at the top of a company to look at the external environment to ensure that the company is well positioned for survival and stability.

Operational leadership among organizations turn strategy into action in the right direction and focus energy on the right things.

On the front lines of grass roots leadership to provide value to stakeholders is necessary because the front line, where customers value decisions that business performance, profitability, and sustainability affect.

Well-run companies are leaders in developing and maintaining relationships that drive continued success in the ground to appreciate the importance of leadership. Unfortunately, the ground lead is often underestimated, or worse, ignored.

The answer to difference in size of the company's leadership issues. The point is that leaders are developing ground and clients or customers happy and having a direct impact on triple bottom line empowered with the task.

Regardless of company size, effective leadership for long-term business success is required on all three levels.

* Views of the University of Phoenix may not necessarily reflect those expressed.