In “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership,” John Maxwell describes the Management Myth:

The Management Myth – that leading and managing are the same. Leadership is about influencing people to follow, while management focuses on maintaining systems and processes. Managers can maintain direction; to move people you need influence.

In “7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” Stephen Covey uses the following metaphor:

Management is efficiency in climbing the ladder of success; leadership determines whether the ladder is leaning against the right wall.

Sound management and sound leadership are different things, but both are crucial to a successful venture. Consider the following:

1. Do you spend more time working in your business than working on it?
2. Are you or your team very efficient at doing ineffective things?
3. What processes are in place to train quality managers and what access do they have to your vision in order to buy in, contribute, and become quality leaders?