Leadership versus Human Leadership in Sales Management
Typically in business, we say that a person is a good leader when they or their team meets or exceeds their goals. This article challenges that concept and explores key differences between "Leadership" and "Human Leadership" in the context of Sales Management.
As you know we live in an age where attracting, engaging, and retaining high-performing employees is very challenging. This is why it is important to start differentiating between leadership and human leadership in sales management.
Leadership refers to the ability to influence, guide, and inspire others toward a common goal or vision, but what if creating all of the influence needed to align the team is actually eroding their trust? As a leader, it can be easy to slip from sincere relationships to self-centered influencing. The word leadership by itself implies a finite point in time. You might be a great leader or have a great leader on your team but, they may not be quite at the human leadership level. For example, if they are a great leader they may be hitting defined targets with their team, but upon examination of the goals attainment aftermath, the team is burned out, contentious towards each other, and possibly looking for new opportunities.
Human leadership implies the creation of an ongoing positive result versus a finite data point. It requires an examination of the aftermath of a project or goal acquisition. If you have a leader that is hitting defined targets with the team and the team is eager and ready for the next project and not looking for new opportunities because they are burned out by the manager, then you have a human leader. Human leadership status is more difficult to attain but, far better for building sustained sales growth for your business.
While both leadership and human leadership involve leading and influencing others, here are a few key differences between the two:
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Focus on Relationships: Human leadership places a greater emphasis on building and maintaining strong relationships with followers. This involves taking the time to listen to their concerns, being empathetic, and fostering a sense of trust and respect.
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Emotional Intelligence: Human leaders are typically more emotionally intelligent, which means they are able to recognize and manage their own emotions as well as the emotions of others. They are able to communicate effectively and build strong connections with their followers.
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Servant Leadership: Human leaders often practice servant leadership, which means they prioritize the needs of their followers above their own. They are willing to roll up their sleeves and work alongside their team, and they lead by example.
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Flexibility: Human leaders are often more flexible and adaptable than traditional leaders. They are willing to experiment with new ideas and approaches, and they are not afraid to make mistakes or fail.
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Vision and Purpose: While both types of leaders have a clear vision and purpose, human leaders are more focused on creating a shared vision and purpose that inspires and motivates their followers.
In summary, while leadership and human leadership share many similarities, human leadership places a greater emphasis on building relationships, emotional intelligence, servant leadership, flexibility, and creating a shared vision and purpose. Explore H.U.M.A.N. Sales Management.
