We are all ignorant … just about different things. Interesting quote from Will Rogers, yes? Are you a student of the concepts on the best leadership management qualities and attributes?
Dwight Eisenhower certainly was, wasn’t he? Spot on. I also like to study examples of leadership.
Examples of leadership.
I have been in leadership positions in the military and business world for forty years and I often get asked what it takes to be an effective, influential leader. Dwight Eisenhower was only of many I studied over those many years.
Being such a leader is a lifelong learning process. You are never done learning. Every great leader always looks for ways to improve their ability to improve their leadership qualities and attributes.
Related: How to Create the Best Leadership Accountability
If you read 10 books on leadership, you could easily build a checklist of 50 or more leadership qualities and attributes. It was also most likely include many leadership myths. But more is not necessarily better for the best checklist.
This following list of leader myths represents my favorites that are often described as leadership attributes. How many of these myths do you recognize?
Leadership management … everyone can be a leader?
Certainly not true. Many senior managers don’t have the self-knowledge or the required authenticity for leadership. And authenticity and self-knowledge are only 2 of the important skills in the equation.
People must also want to be leaders, and many talented employees are not interested in taking on that responsibility.
Many others prefer to devote more time to other private live interests than to their work, and more time to work than being a boss.
Leaders are great coaches
Rarely does this happen? Leaders don’t often have the talent nor time to inspire the troops, impact technical skills, and successfully manage the business.
More typically you see leaders whose strengths lie in their ability to excite others in their vision rather than their coaching talents.
My favorite example of this type of leader would be Steve Jobs.
Open and honest relationships
“Because I said so” leadership may work for a child but it doesn’t work with adults. In many cases it creates frustration and confusion, resulting in more infractions and disdain for leadership.
As an alternative, focus on open and honest communication where you can carefully explain why you focus on your objectives and what you are aiming to accomplish.
Connecting is all there is
President Lincoln was once asked how long it took him to write the Gettysburg Address. He replied: ‘All my life’.
Lincoln knew who he was and what he stood for and that influenced his entire perspective on life. Most people are the same … they want to know who you are and what you stand for before they follow you.
Leadership is a 2-way agreement.
Consistent styles
Gratitude must be a constant drumbeat of your dialogue. Infuse your conversations with an appreciation of your team’s acumen and determination to improve.
Learn to be thankful certainly when there’s great success, but also be thankful for what you’ve learned through the hard times because there’s great wisdom in those experiences.
After you have been knocked down, get up, gain your composure, reflect on why this occurred and make the necessary changes.
People who rise to the top are best leaders
This is certainly not always the case. One of the most persistent misperceptions is that people in leadership positions are leaders.
Often it is the case that people who made it to the top have done so because of political acumen and not because of true leadership skills. What’s more, real leaders are found all over the organization, from the top to the bottom.
Leaders are simply people who have followers, and rank doesn’t have that much to do with it.
All the military organizations have long realized the importance of developing leaders at all levels of the organization.
Put people first
Many of us want to be effective leaders … ones that can make a difference.
But that doesn’t happen by talking about it or self-marketing. It takes time to build connections, to take a genuine interest in people.
In true leadership situations, listening comes first.
Perhaps the worst personal trait I’ve personally observed is ego. We all have an ego, but the ego I’m talking about is the ‘superego’ that dominates.
I’ve found if a leader is really good at what they do, they won’t have to tell others about it.
Do what it takes to make your team more effective and productive. Make each team member focus on putting the team before themselves.
Remember, whatever your role is, be a servant to the team and make your teammates better.
Best leaders deliver best results
Not always the case for sure. If results were always a matter of good leadership skills, choosing leaders would certainly easier. But clearly, things are usually not that simple.
Many businesses can often do well with competent management rather than great leadership.
On the flip side, some well-led businesses do not necessarily produce strong results, particularly in the short term.
Continuous improvement and learning
Many people who think they are leaders will never acknowledge making errors or mistakes. They don’t realize that if you’re not doing, you’re not learning.
Everybody makes mistakes. It’s what you do with them that counts.
Adapt your leadership to the team
Not all teams are the same and each requires and responds best to its own leadership qualities. Some professed leaders cannot adapt under any circumstances.
They only have one mode and can’t adapt. No ability to focus on becoming a good reader of the team and adapt a leadership style to what is needed.
Limited character and more concerned about reputation
Your reputation will vary. It’s your character that counts and it’s what you can control. This myth shows people more concerned with their reputation.
Remember that your reputation is what you are perceived to be, and your character is what you actually are.
Your character is much more important than what you are perceived to be, isn’t it?
Working long hours is everything
Keep the reverse of this statement near the top of your leadership priorities. Preach it and definitely live it.
Remember that the best leaders know that balance is everything.
Be balanced … controlled action in all areas of life.
Key takeaways
The moral of this story is that many leadership qualities are not that at all. They are only myths and can have an influence on leadership development. Beware.
If these different thoughts are possessed by your current leadership team or your emerging leaders, you should take note of the road ahead.
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