Eight Leadership Myths

Many managers today fail to understand the role leadership plays in the execution of their roles and responsibilities.

Over the years I have read more than 300 definitions of leadership. There are hundreds of books available on leadership and numerous seminars are held each year promising to teach people how to lead.

Yet, many managers still fail to grasp the importance of this critical characteristic.

There are eight common myths regarding leadership. If you believe in any of these myths, or if they’re a part of your company’s management culture, you need to take another look at how you’re leading.

Myth 1. Position or title equates leadership.
Just because you’re CEO, president or department head does not mean you have leadership attitudes or ability. There are many people running organizations today whom I would not classify as good, or even acceptable, leaders.

Myth 2. Tenure or longevity makes a great leader.
Being with your organization for 30 years doesn’t make you an effective leader. Any success you might have had could have been timing, luck, pure effort, will or any combination of these.

Myth 3. Being a leader means you have to get your hands dirty.
Delegation is not a sign of weakness. You don’t have to demonstrate you’re willing to do any task you’d give another employee.

If the floor is dirty and the janitor is sick, somebody has to sweep up. But is it really your responsibility to show your employees that you’re not above this task? Your employees want a leader they can respect and trust, not a back up for the janitorial staff.

Myth 4. Leadership is an endowment.
Trust, respect and confidence are earned. They’re not a right or a set of mastered skills.

Myth 5. You can study your way to effective leadership.
You can read all of the books on leadership. But if you’re still hanging on to pre-existing beliefs, attitudes, prejudices, opinions or paradigms, you’ll still fail as a leader.

This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t study leadership. It means that studying isn’t enough. It takes wisdom, understanding and execution.

Myth 6. You have to be a senior citizen with gray hair to be an effective leader.
I know many executives fresh out of college that are model leaders.

Myth 7. To be a leader, you have to be in charge of something.
Leadership is not position. You can be the receptionist and have a leadership attitude about your roles and responsibilities. You can be in sales and have a leadership mindset about your tasks.

Look around your company. Who do people turn to for advice or guidance? Those are your leaders.

Myth 8. To lead you need followers.
Leadership does not imply you have to be in front of a group. If you’re the only person working in a department you can still demonstrate leadership attitudes.

Tim Connor is a sales, relationship, management and leadership speaker, trainer and author. Since 1981 he has given more than 3,500 presentations in 21 countries and authored 60 books. Contact him at tim@timconnor.com; (704) 895-1230; or visit his website at http://www.timconnor.com.