Leadership in Action: Mediocrity at the Top: Pulling Away From the Pack

Managers and Leaders

These examples of feedback show some of the specific reasons why the effectiveness ratings of presidents in The Looking Glass Experience are downgraded. But what about the bigger picture? What is it in the overarching approach to leadership that drags so many presidents down to the level of mediocrity?

Most of the participants in the program are middle- to senior-level managers, including vice presidents, chief financial officers, and other executives. Although they know how to act as managers, many of them don't know how to act as leaders.

What's the difference? Harvard Business School professor John P. Kotter says that the focus of management is planning, budgeting, staffing, organizing, and problem solving. Leadership, ...