Are You a Leader or a Manager in Your Cleaning Business?
Cleaning business owners come from a variety of backgrounds. Some start out working for a commercial cleaning company and eventually decide to strike out on their own. Others simply have the entrepreneurial spirit and want to start a business that doesn't require much capital. Very few, however, come into the industry with a resume filled with leadership roles.
Knowing how to clean is important, of course, but it's only the first step. To make sure your company survives over the long term, you need a vision and the ability to lead a team to success. While most business owners think they're great managers and even better leaders, the truth is very few are both.
The Difference Between Management and Leadership
The words manager and leader are often used interchangeably, but they aren't actually synonyms. In fact, they are very different.
Put simply, people work for managers and they follow leaders.
Managers control employees and tasks with the aim of accomplishing goals. Leaders, on the other hand, influence and motivate others to achieve success. To further illustrate this point, here are a few more key differences between managers and leaders:
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Tasks vs. Vision.
Managers are task oriented. They coordinate the process necessary to reach established goals in a timely basis. They know what needs to be done, and make sure it gets accomplished. Leaders dream of what's to come, and inspire others to turn that vision into reality. -
Now vs. Future.
Managers are focused on the short-term. They work on the tasks immediately before them and need regular praise or rewards to stay motivated. Leaders think of the big picture, working on distant goals. Dreaming big keeps them motivated, not quick accomplishments or frequent acknowledgement. -
Control vs. Risk.
Managers are often rule followers and probably didn't "color outside the lines" when they were children. They like to control and minimize risk, sticking with what they know works rather than trying something new. Leaders embrace change, even when it means they may fail. In fact, they view failure as an important part of learning, growing, and eventually succeeding. -
Copy vs. Create.
Managers are not usually creative in thought and spirit. They tend to mimic what they see others doing successfully rather than creating something new. Leaders value original thinking and imagination. They're always experimenting with new ways of achieving goals. -
Numbers vs. People.
Managers thinks of employees in terms of job titles. They are more concerned with the systems and processes needed to reach expected outcomes. Leaders view employees as people, and work to build loyalty and trust with their teams. -
Direct vs. Coach.
Managers assign tasks and give directions on how to complete them. This creates staff who do what they're told but not much more. Leaders make sure employees understand the vision, and inspire them to be part of something bigger than their job titles. -
Individual vs. Team.
Managers share information on an as-needed basis, feel threatened by employees who outshine them, and blame the team (not themselves) for falling short of goals. Leaders are transparent and giving, celebrate their teams members' accomplishments, and take responsibility for problems.
A well-run, successful company must have both managers and leaders. Very often, these are different people. It's possible to be a great manager and a lousy leader. There are natural leaders who aren't in management roles.
The biggest challenge is to be both a manager and a leader, but very often it's imperative that small business owners find a way to do just that.
Until a business grows large enough to include a management team, the owner-operator must provide the big picture while also overseeing day-to-day tasks. Knowing whether you're a natural leader or manager can help you eventually hire the right team to bolster your weaknesses.
Most entrepreneurs tend to be stronger visionaries, so it's likely you'll want to focus on hiring employees who can develop into strong managers to handle daily tasks like ordering supplies, scheduling crews, and customer service. This will free your time for tasks like strategic planning, networking, and prospecting—all the things that can propel your business forward.
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