Making the most of management theory of Warren Bennis can help business owners gain a better understanding of leadership development. Born in 1925, Warren Bennis is a professor at the University of Southern California. For decades, he has been an influential leadership development consultant and has advised at least four American presidents and countless business professionals on the topic.

According to Warren Bennis, a good leader is one who has developed as an individual and isn't afraid of appearing vulnerable. One of the principles of the Bennis leadership theory is that individuals can only develop their leadership skills by checking their egos at the door. Consider the following tips on making the most of management theory of Warren Bennis.

1. Determine what makes a leader in accordance with the Bennis theory.

2. Evaluate the benefits of using the Warren Bennis management theory in your company.

3. Improve organizational management with the Bennis leadership theory.

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Research what Warren Bennis suggests about leadership development

The basis of the Warren Bennis leadership theory is that leaders aren't born, but created. The Bennis leadership theory also dismisses the belief that leadership is a rare quality and that leaders use their positions to control and manipulate people and situations.

I recommend: Gain further understanding of the Bennis theory by visiting the Antioch University website. Find out more about making the most of Bennis management and leadership theories by visiting Slacker Manager blog.

Create good leaders by applying the principles of the Warren Bennis theory

According to Warren Bennis, being a manager isn't necessarily the best training for becoming a good leader. However, according to the Warren Bennis management theory, managers can learn to become good leaders by believing that they have the capability to adapt to change. The Warren Bennis theory of leadership identifies four activities that managers must embrace to become good leaders, which include becoming a visionary and inspiring people to look to the future; learning how to effectively communicate your vision to encourage people to get into action; building trust; and believing in yourself.

I recommend: Learn more about the Bennis management theory in regards to the differences between leaders and managers by visiting The Practice of Leadership website. Check out Reuters to read more about the Bennis theory and get information about one of his books that outline some of his theories.

Improve your company by applying the Warren Bennis theory

Every great organization needs great leaders. According to Warren Bennis, leaders are ordinary people who distinguish themselves as leaders by their actions--one of which is learning from problems and adversity. The Bennis theory speaks directly to how leaders are developed. Once leadership traits are developed individuals have the skills to encourage change, improve processes and create a vision that can move an organization to the next level.

I recommend: Learn to make the most of the Bennis leadership theory by checking LeaderValues. You can also visit ChangingMinds.org to learn more about utilizing Warren Bennis leadership principles.

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Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  To maintain a successful business, the Warren Bennis theory stresses the importance of becoming a transparent leader and creating a transparent company. To do this, Bennis suggests that business leaders develop a culture of candor, be honest and embrace openness. To learn more about this theory, pick up Bennis' recent book, 'Transparency: How Leaders Create a Culture of Candor.'

Warren Bennis's insight into the characteristics that mark real leaders has added a great deal to modern management thought and method. According to Bennis theory, true leaders understand themselves, possess both a vision and the ability to translate that vision to their teams and are able to establish an environment of trust.

Bennis identified 13 characteristics which differentiate real leaders from mere managers. True leadership then, according to Bennis management theory, is the difference between various pairs of tendencies (the first one in each pair being a trait of management and the second a trait of leadership). The 13 traits follow.

1. Administration vs. innovation

2. Carbon copy vs. original

3. Maintenance vs. development

4. System or structure focus vs. people focus (an important differentiation in Bennis leadership theory)

5. Control vs. inspiration

6. Acceptance vs. investigation

7. Short-range vs. long-range perspective

8. Interest in "how" and "when" vs. interest in "what" and "why"

9. View toward bottom line vs. view toward horizon

10. Imitation vs. origination

11. Acceptance vs. challenge of/to status quo

12. Conformity (i.e., "good soldier" mentality) vs. individuality

13. Desire to do things right vs. ability to do the right things

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Acquire some background information on Bennis management theory

Numerous websites provide valuable information about Bennis leadership theory. In addition to summaries of Warren Bennis leadership principles, you'll also find helpful information on Bennis group development theory. These resources can help you develop the expertise to put Bennis management and leadership theories to work for your company.

I recommend: Organization Development Network offers "Group Development," which explains the Warren Bennis management theory of group development. YouTube presents "Warren Bennis on Leadership," which is Part 3 of a four-part series. You'll also find the remainder of the series, along with a number of other Bennis videos, on the site. (Entering "Warren Bennis" into the website's search field will bring up the entire collection, which you'll find to be a rich repository of valuable information on Bennis theory.)

Connect with a consultant who offers insight into Bennis's management theory

Consultants with knowledge and experience in the management theory of Warren Bennis can guide you in maximizing the benefit of his principles in your own company's unique environment.

I recommend: Linkage Incorporated features a large group of multi-disciplined leadership consultants. Paul Glen of C2 Consulting is another leadership expert who provides speaking and consulting services to technology-related companies. Glen's leadership approach, presented in his book, Leading Geeks, has been endorsed by Warren Bennis; his book is in fact part of the Warren Bennis Signature Series.

Look for tools that help put Bennis management theory to work for you

Widely available online tools and resources can help you more easily implement Bennis management and leadership theories. Audio books, assessments and other Bennis theory training products let you choose the resources most valuable to your business.

I recommend: Personalysis Corporation offers a questionnaire and report, which come highly recommended by Warren Bennis for learning about one's personal and management style and determining the compatibilities and "disconnects" between work group members. Linkage, Inc., offers a distance learning program featuring Warren Bennis on The Most Common (and Often Fatal) Failures of Top Leadership. SyberVision offers The Neuropsychology of Leadership audio book, co-authored by Warren Bennis, Burt Nanus and Steve Devore. The work is available in three editions: CD, MP3 disc and MP3 download.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Be sure to take advantage of as many online tools and resources as possible to develop a clear understanding of the value that Warren Bennis management theory can have for your company.

The Warren Bennis management theory has added greatly to the modern understanding of business management and organizational leadership. Studying Warren Bennis theory assists managers and small business owners in making smart choices in management practices.

By turning the world of leadership and management on its head from traditional approaches to more egalitarian styles, Warren Bennis provides business owners and managers with an alternative management program that emphasized self-teaching and harnessing the skills of every employee. Understanding and implementing Warren Bennis management theories offers small businesses a chance to grow. When considering the Warren Bennis theory of management:

1. Know that Bennis' theory is about harnessing the power of the individual

2. Realize that Warren Bennis theory of leadership is an easy fit in the modern workspace

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Learn the basics of Warren Bennis theories to offer practical changes to the office environment

The writings of Warren Bennis include management theories, sensitivity training and the interplay of employees in small groups. Obtaining educational information about Warren Bennis is useful to a broader understanding of the man behind the management. Many informative articles include basic descriptions of his theories, making the concepts accessible to the layman.

I recommend: The Economist offers a brief profile of Bennis and his business theories, providing a simple introduction to his work in management. ChangingMinds.org explores Bennis' basic understanding of leadership qualities and The Free Library provides a great overview of Bennis' biographical data and major theoretical concepts.

Use books and manuals for management theory of Warren Bennis education and training

In the case of Warren Bennis leadership theory, business students and office managers use a huge body of his publications as textbooks and policy manuals. For the business owner or organizational leader, selected texts (such as Learning to Lead and Organizing Genius) will prove more useful as teaching tools (for both employee and employer) than others.

I recommend: LeadershipNow / M2 Communications provides a list of all Bennis' books on leaderships with links to summaries of each manuscript. Questia offers a full text version of Organizing Genius: The Secrets of Creative Collaboration, a must read for office managers hoping to understand Bennis' management theory.

Study Warren Bennis and management theory in the college classroom

Warren Bennis is a professor at the University of South Carolina and those lucky enough to attend his class lecture will get the most education on his management theories and understanding of what makes a leader. Online tutorials and video clips also discuss Bennis management and leadership theories.

I recommend: Bennis himself founded the USC Leadership Institute and it offers courses and seminars on leadership. By visiting their website you can find out about upcoming lectures and download papers on leadership. Look at videos on YouTube that discuss Bennis management and leadership theories. LearnOutLoud.com offers six downloadable audiobooks by Warren Bennis that discuss his leadership models and theories.

Warren Bennis believed that businesses and organizations are more successful when administered by leaders rather than managers. He felt that managers tend to view themselves as better than other employees, more deserving of their station and are less able to cope with change. On the other hand, Bennis believed that leaders are innovators, trustworthy and have a long-term perspective. This article addresses Bennis' six key qualities in a successful leader.

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Integrity

Leaders with integrity, according to Bennis, put personal values and morals above everything else. They will always take the morally correct route, even if it is the more difficult one. They are very trustworthy and reliable individuals.

I recommend: Men Today Online mentions Bennis' emphasis on integrity as a characteristic in a strong leader.

Dedication

Leaders must have dedication to their position and to the tasks required in that position. A dedicated leader will do everything necessary to get the job done and to do it well.

I recommend: The Economist notes four competencies Bennis believes leaders should also develop in order to have dedication and other strong leadership qualities.

Magnanimity

A magnanimous individual is slow to anger and very forgiving. Leaders who implore magnanimity take responsibility for their failures without allowing that failure to effect them or the overall outcome and success of the project. They also give credit where credit is due to those who are successful.

I recommend: Visit The Free Library for an article that touches on what Bennis calls emotional wisdoms of a leader that tie closely to a magnanimous quality.

Humility

Leaders who foster the quality of humility recognize everyone as an equal. They don't puff up their egos and take credit for everything, but graciously accept compliments and compliment others in turn.

I recommend: Bennis believes the biggest mistake a leader can make is taking too much credit. An article provided by Leader Values addresses how important Bennis finds humility to be in a leader.

Openness

Leaders who exude openness are willing to listen to and consider the ideas of others without passing judgment. They are open to the fact that they don't have all the answers and that any one person can contribute a brilliant idea to the success of an organization, regardless of his or her position.

I recommend: Read all of the qualities of a leader on the Changing Minds website.

Creativity

Creative leaders are able to look at circumstances, problems and solutions from several different angles. It means thinking outside the box to look for new and different approaches to everyday situations.

I recommend: Discover more on what Bennis views as the differences between managers and leaders from The Practice of Leadership .