Last week we explored 5 Leadership nuggets gained from personal experience and working alongside great leaders. This week let’s have a look at some leadership myths and how you can avoid the traps.
Myth #1 – It’s lonely at the top
It can be. And sometimes, it needs to be. There are tough decisions to be made and while collaboration is encouraged, consensus is not always possible. So, there are instances where you as the leader need to make a call that will make you feel isolated even if you are a great communicator. It’s just a fact that comes along with strong decisions. This, however, shouldn’t be the norm. Leadership is an amazing opportunity to help people grow. To meet them where they are and coach and guide them to stretching and reaching their potential. I don’t mean to get in their way or micromanage them, I mean really make their best interests a priority and help them develop in new ways. It also means getting to know them and what drives their behavior. When you invest in relationships with your people, it will less often feel “lonely at the top.” Also, when you do make those unpopular decisions, taking the time to get one on one with your people and walking with them to get eventual buy-in can be a great strategy to enhance the relationship.
Myth #2 – Meetings always need harmony
One coaching client of mine was concerned about a level of combativeness in monthly companywide business meetings. He is a strong S on the DISC personality profile, and I asked a series of questions to learn more about this potential issue. The key questions here – Are there personal attacks being made? Are people disrespectful or constantly disruptive? Do people talk negatively about others’ ideas? You see, meetings greatly benefit from constructive and creative tension. When one idea is put forth, it can generally benefit and evolve from input from others. This can sometimes feel combative. As long as everyone agrees that the goal is to put forth the best idea, and there is no judgment made on ideas at all levels of iteration, the team will focus on getting to the best answers. And here is another key, once the decision is made, all are on board to generate the desired outcomes.
Myth #3 – Leaders should deflect credit and accept the blame
This may be an unpopular take, but in my mind this myth is purely inauthentic. Now, just because this is a myth does not mean the inverse is true, that leaders should take all the credit and deflect the blame. Not at all! The sweet spot, and the most authentic, is we win as a team and we share the challenges and learning lessons as a team. Isn’t that the way to help people develop into stronger leaders? If we are constantly heaping credit and shielding from the tough facts, what are we doing for them really? My normal MO for most of my leadership career was to follow this myth. Any wins I would deflect to my team. Anything goes wrong, the buck stopped with me. This can simply be taken too far. When you are congratulated on some great outcome as a leader – say thank you and share the credit with your team. When something goes wrong, share in the lesson and what you are doing as a team to improve and move forward.
Myth #4 – Leaders should be the smartest in the room
Don’t get me wrong, leaders should be smart. The key thing here, leaders need to be unafraid to surround themselves with people smarter than themselves. If you are threatened by this, you will place an unnecessary ceiling on the potential of the team. The best leaders I have worked with are smart enough to know it’s the entire package that makes a great leader. Building relationships, communicating and driving vision, modeling effectiveness, building culture, staying curious, seeking to get the best answers, making strong and courageous decisions, and yes a level of smarts and wisdom from experience helps too.
Myth #5 – Your title makes you a leader
Nope. People willing to follow you makes you a leader. People at all levels of organizations and positions can be leaders. It’s all about influence. See #4 for some of the ideas to cultivate influence.
There are plenty more myths, and one thing is for sure – leadership skills can be learned. Some have innate characteristics that help, but I believe anyone can learn to become a great leader. For me to help, the only requirement is that your growing influence is employed in alignment with good values and in good service to others.
Check out part 1 – 5 Universal Leadership Nuggets and 5 Myths
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