Are You A Leader Or A Manager?

Take a look at the cover of Law Enforcement Technology magazine. Above the title there’s a line that says, “The #1 Information Source for Law Enforcement Leadership.” For the purpose of this column, I want you to pay attention to the word “leadership.” It used to say “management” on the cover, but I strongly believe that there’s a huge and important difference between managing and leading. Both leadership and management refer to base functions: lead or manage. It’s important to understand the difference. Dictionary.com defines lead as “to go before or with to show the way; conduct or escort.” Manage is defined as “to take charge or care of.” It is also defined as “to handle, direct, govern, or control in action or use.” If you talk to someone on virtually any police or law enforcement agency in the nation you’ll likely find that they’d unanimously prefer to work for a leader rather than a manager.

Certainly, some things need to be managed, but leadership isn’t about managing inventory; it’s about motivating people. Leadership doesn’t require a rank or a title. Leadership is something some people grow into and carry the mantle of, and they do it without ego or arrogance although their confidence would rarely be questioned. Leaders find a way, or create a way, to motivate those they are responsible for to do what needs to be done. They work side-by-side, hand-in-hand, right there in the muck and yuck to accomplish the mission at hand. They critique in private, praise in public and give recognition to those who perform above and beyond. Leaders develop those they lead into better, more skilled and more valuable people. Leaders earn respect and those they are responsible for are happy to follow them, working toward that common goal.

Managers are different. Managers tend to focus more on the inventory and the end bean counting and less about how any of the other people involved in a task feel or are affected. Typically a manager will demand respect and courtesy based on their rank, often with people wondering who the heck they think they are to demand such treatment.

Now take a look at the sidebar of this column where I reference two articles on Officer.com. KP, our contributing millennial, brought up a few points about how law enforcement could evolve to more efficiently embrace the generations who are growing into our ranks. Chief Harvey, our contributing leadership expert, responded and surprised quite a few folks of rank in our profession. Many expected him to rip into KP and “school” her on why she was wrong. Instead, he commented intelligently, pointing out where she was right and what concerns exist with the changes she suggests. He responded as a leader would rather than as so many managers might. Her suggestions challenge long-held establishment practices and beliefs. Unfortunately, the world around us changes every day and we had better adapt to it or risk becoming extinct in our profession.

As you move into 2019, especially as you enjoy this magazine dedicated to providing information to law enforcement leadership, commit yourself to becoming a better leader.

Stay safe.

Lt. Frank Borelli