Leadership or Management, which comes first?

“Effective leadership is putting first things first. Effective management is discipline, carrying it out.”

Stephen R. Covey

Which comes first? Leadership or Management? Neither. Discipline is the key to both leadership AND management. Without discipline you cannot become an effective leader. Discipline is what allows you to put the time and energy into determining what is most important. Discipline is what determines your ability to prioritize and define what is most important. Discipline is then the trait that allows you to carry out that vision.

If you desire to lead, you must start with self. You must learn to put in the hard work that then allows you to put the first things first. One can’t be an effective leader of others if you can’t and won’t put forth the effort to lead yourself first. You have to have the discipline to manage yourself if you desire to lead others. That’s the key. That’s what comes first…