My Observations Of, and Experiences with Leadership in Management

INTRODUCTION
All of my life, I have wondered why some people
are leaders and others are not.
This book is sort of an analysis of the
relationship between employee, supervisor,
manager and leader.
In the 1970's, I had the pleasure of working
out of a Pan Am training department office at JFK
airport, NY, with a fellow who I "observed" as
having qualities of leadership. I often thought
had he been an officer in the trenches, and called
"let's go", his men, without hesitation, would
follow him "over the top". He was in management at
Pan Am as a Maintenance Technical Instructor. I was
conducting classes in management development.
Of course, he wasn't a CEO or Vice President,
probably because he did not have the necessary
formal education, but to me he represented
the qualities I would hope to find in those
positions. He planned his work, set goals and
clearly communicated them to individuals or
groups. He comfortably reflected a style of
knowledgeable, but modest, self confidence. With
a pleasant personality, he seemed to earn the
trust of others. It was always evident he had
prepared himself through experience and study of
the subject he was teaching.
I don't know why, but to me, as I saw him
perform his work, he was the natural "leader"
14 JOHN STEARNS
type. Even though there were several other
well qualified instructors in the group, this
instructor, John Romaine, came to mind as I
prepared to write this book on the subject of
leadership in management.
I am aware of the many books, courses, and
other materials on the subject of management,
and I have read many of them, but I believe in
using my personal experiences and observations,
with the experience of others, it will make clear
the difference between "managers" and those who
are "leaders in management".
MY OBSERVATIONS OF, AND EXPERIENCES WITH LEADERSHIP IN MANAGEMENT 15
It is not my intention to write this as a
"personal career" story and therefore, references
to my personal experiences are only to be
considered as they relate to the subject and not
necessarily in chronological order.
In writing this book I am motivated by three
thoughts-
First-most of my life I have mentally noted
the differences in styles, manners, and methods
of peoples' relationships with others. And then
I found that in my working experience I had
several opportunities to highlight and explore
those items.
Secondly-In recent years, the emphasis on
selecting leaders has grown. It seems that
everyone is always seeking a good leader-tribes,
organizations, companies and countries, and
too often, when one is selected there follows
disappointment.
And thirdly, it is helpful to recall the
pleasure of working with men and women who
were instrumental in accomplishing much that
contributed to our society.
16 JOHN STEARNS
It is also a recognized fact that there are
many in management positions that have made and/
or are making great differences in the lives of
people. So in this book instances will be noted
in which men and women re...