General Managers want top performance from their operations.  Their focus is on delivering the greatest amount of output (product, throughput or service) at the least cost.  Profitability often drives their bonus payment.  They work closely with production and operations managers to deliver that output.  The work with accounting to identify costs that can be reduced.  But often their prime focus is on the result.  They tend to act through other managers with narrowly defined areas of interest.  Maintenance (asset) managers are usually part of the leadership team, but they are often the more junior members.  They provide a service to operations and are in a subordinate role.

Truly maintenance (asset) managers do more - they deliver capacity.  Capacity comes from availability.  That's their product.  

Capacity is produced by reliable equipment and systems operating at peak efficiency and output.  The availabiilty they deliver comes from reliability.  Without it all operational costs are high and production levels are reduced.  Reliability also delivers both a safer and a more environmentally friendly workplace.

Put the focus on what delivers the performance you want - just like the athletes.  The results will follow.  To do otherwise, is to emulate the armchair athlete who can only wish he wins gold.