Leadership Myths Demystified
Psychologists have long held that perceptions shape behavior more powerfully than reality. One fine example of perception influencing reality is the conventional wisdom on leadership. For the longest time, business owners have sworn by some beliefs about leadership that at best have brought them mixed results. And when conventional wisdom doesn’t give one the outcome he wants, it’s time t challenge this belief. Here are the most common leadership misconceptions.
Myth #1: Leaders are born, not made.
Scientists have yet to find the so-called leadership gene, while we are all born with different potentials and personalities, none of us are born leaders. There are as many leadership styles as there are people: Some are more charismatic while others are more quiet and warm. You can develop your leadership skills by raising your awareness, creating opportunities, r trying something new. Think f strengthening your leadership as a lifelong project instead of a quick-results task. Set modest goals and regularly check your progress. Find and meet with a friend or mentor with exemplary leadership qualities, and talk to him not abut leadership, but about how business is doing, especially about how you interact with staff, customers, and partners.
The truth: Leadership is learned and developed.
Myth#2: Status and position make a leader.
When asked who they think are the greatest influences in their life, people often say teachers, coaches, priests, and relatives। Many on the list may not hold what society considers as high status positions, but their leadership was powerful enough that it changed lives. Leadership is not about holding a title; its about taking action. Showing up early, going home late, and working alongside the staff at cleanup time are manifestations of leadership. Some people with fancy titles are actually ineffective leaders, while others with the barest of social standing can wield influence beyond expectation. In your business, you ask yourself: Who are the unrecognized leaders? What am I doing to develop them?
The truth: Leadership is shown in action.
Myth#3: Leaders control.
Leadership is sometimes confused with control। The misconception is that instilling fear allows one to maintain a position of leadership. In reality, too much control puts a ceiling on business potentials. Consider the case of a salesperson in a store who, when asked for a discount, always consult the owner. Such rigid rules are indications of ineffective leadership. True leaders give their frontline employees control and power to decide.
The truth: Leaders who give control earns their subordinate’s loyalty.
Myth#4: Future leaders need spoon-feeding.
Treating people with kid gloves and hand holding them through the rough times won’t turn them into leaders. If you want your people to take responsibility, give it to them. That’s how they become responsible, instead of spoon-feeding them: Develop leaders who respond creatively and effectively to various business situations.
The truth: Leadership is about allowing people to take responsibility, and then gradually increasing it over time.
Myth#5: Natural leaders grow into their role when their time comes.
You’ve heard the plot before: The spoiled son is a party animal. But on his 21st birthday, his wise father rewards him by naming him successor to the family’s business empire. A natural leader, the son realizes even more success than his dad. But this is a fairy tale, not what happens in real life. If you are not building leaders now, you wont have them tomorrow. Worse, you may have to hire new, more expensive people you don’t even know or trust. A leader spends a lot more time leading and less time handholding. If the staff needs to ask you for the tiniest decisions, like what brand of soap powder to buy, you’re not teaching them leadership. From the start, make people fully responsible for their work. Remember that the supervisor in an overseer role adds no value, only cost. Strengthen your people’s skills by being in a supporting role. Together, set reasonable performance standards.
The truth: Future leaders need to be developed now.
Myth#6: Learn the theories first, then apply them later.
To the entrepreneur, ideas without action are worthless. Our best learning isn’t separated from work; it’s embedded in it. The best way to test ideas is to try them out. Offer a new recipe, clothing item, or try a marketing gimmick or service on the ground as you interact with your customers. Learn as you go.
The truth: Always combine learning with action.
Myth#7: Leadership is too risky
Many business owners find developing leaders not worth their while, much less that they are expected or required to do so, because making leaders is not usually a valued endeavor in small organizations. Nevertheless you can do things differently.
The truth: Leadership is worth the risk
Myth #1: Leaders are born, not made.
Scientists have yet to find the so-called leadership gene, while we are all born with different potentials and personalities, none of us are born leaders. There are as many leadership styles as there are people: Some are more charismatic while others are more quiet and warm. You can develop your leadership skills by raising your awareness, creating opportunities, r trying something new. Think f strengthening your leadership as a lifelong project instead of a quick-results task. Set modest goals and regularly check your progress. Find and meet with a friend or mentor with exemplary leadership qualities, and talk to him not abut leadership, but about how business is doing, especially about how you interact with staff, customers, and partners.
The truth: Leadership is learned and developed.
Myth#2: Status and position make a leader.
When asked who they think are the greatest influences in their life, people often say teachers, coaches, priests, and relatives। Many on the list may not hold what society considers as high status positions, but their leadership was powerful enough that it changed lives. Leadership is not about holding a title; its about taking action. Showing up early, going home late, and working alongside the staff at cleanup time are manifestations of leadership. Some people with fancy titles are actually ineffective leaders, while others with the barest of social standing can wield influence beyond expectation. In your business, you ask yourself: Who are the unrecognized leaders? What am I doing to develop them?
The truth: Leadership is shown in action.
Myth#3: Leaders control.
Leadership is sometimes confused with control। The misconception is that instilling fear allows one to maintain a position of leadership. In reality, too much control puts a ceiling on business potentials. Consider the case of a salesperson in a store who, when asked for a discount, always consult the owner. Such rigid rules are indications of ineffective leadership. True leaders give their frontline employees control and power to decide.
The truth: Leaders who give control earns their subordinate’s loyalty.
Myth#4: Future leaders need spoon-feeding.
Treating people with kid gloves and hand holding them through the rough times won’t turn them into leaders. If you want your people to take responsibility, give it to them. That’s how they become responsible, instead of spoon-feeding them: Develop leaders who respond creatively and effectively to various business situations.
The truth: Leadership is about allowing people to take responsibility, and then gradually increasing it over time.
Myth#5: Natural leaders grow into their role when their time comes.
You’ve heard the plot before: The spoiled son is a party animal. But on his 21st birthday, his wise father rewards him by naming him successor to the family’s business empire. A natural leader, the son realizes even more success than his dad. But this is a fairy tale, not what happens in real life. If you are not building leaders now, you wont have them tomorrow. Worse, you may have to hire new, more expensive people you don’t even know or trust. A leader spends a lot more time leading and less time handholding. If the staff needs to ask you for the tiniest decisions, like what brand of soap powder to buy, you’re not teaching them leadership. From the start, make people fully responsible for their work. Remember that the supervisor in an overseer role adds no value, only cost. Strengthen your people’s skills by being in a supporting role. Together, set reasonable performance standards.
The truth: Future leaders need to be developed now.
Myth#6: Learn the theories first, then apply them later.
To the entrepreneur, ideas without action are worthless. Our best learning isn’t separated from work; it’s embedded in it. The best way to test ideas is to try them out. Offer a new recipe, clothing item, or try a marketing gimmick or service on the ground as you interact with your customers. Learn as you go.
The truth: Always combine learning with action.
Myth#7: Leadership is too risky
Many business owners find developing leaders not worth their while, much less that they are expected or required to do so, because making leaders is not usually a valued endeavor in small organizations. Nevertheless you can do things differently.
The truth: Leadership is worth the risk
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