7 Myths About Leadership That Are Holding You Back
by Heather Wolfson, CEO & Lead Strategist, Maven Leadership Consulting
There are a lot of myths about leadership that hold people back.
These myths create false expectations and prevent people from taking the necessary risks to become the great leaders they’re meant to be.
In this article, we’ll dispel seven of the most common myths about leadership. Once you’ve read this, you’ll be able to see leadership in a whole new light and take the first steps toward becoming a leader yourself!
Myths About Leadership
By understanding the realities of leadership, you can be a more effective leader in your organization. Avoid the mistakes that many leaders make by blindly following these leadership myths.
True Leaders Are Born That Way
Maybe she's born with it, but her admirable leadership skills were most likely honed over the years.
I cringe at the concept that leaders are born not made. We all have natural strengths and weaknesses — some that make it easier to fill the "traditional" definition of what a leader looks like in the corporate world.
But the truth is we all have the ability to be leaders in our organization — no matter your personality type.
Being a leader within your organization looks like this:
Sharing insights in your areas of expertise with others
Listening to others and providing helpful feedback
Engaging in ongoing learning
2. Leaders Have to Do Everything Themselves
You don’t need to do it all yourself.
Years ago, as a new manager, I was reluctant to delegate tasks.
“It’s easier for me to just do it” or “they have too much on their plates, I will do it” were things I said regularly.
In reality, I wasn’t helping myself or my team. I wasn’t empowering them or allowing them to step up.
Since then, I have found value in delegating work responsibilities. It enables me to be more effective and efficient in my duties, while also empowering my team.
3. Leaders Need to Be Extroverted
Extraverts and introverts can both be great leaders.
It’s a myth that extroverts are natural leaders and introverts don't like to be around people.
It’s more about how people like to show up externally in the world. Extroverts get their energy from being around people while introverts tend to be more intentional with getting the energy they need during their alone time.
Introverts are observant, which is a great leadership quality.
Did you know Oprah, Rosa Parks, and Meryl Streep are all introverted leaders?!
4. The Only One Who Can Lead a Team is the Boss
A title doesn't make you a leader. It's your impact that does.
Great leaders have the ability to put themselves in their employee’s shoes.
Being a boss is one thing. Showing up as a leader and using your influence to lift up others is another.
Ask yourself these questions to bridge the gap between you and your team and take your work to the next level.
What did I need when I was in my employee’s position?
What challenges did I face?
What got me excited at that stage in my career?
5. Leaders Always Need to be Accessible 24/7
When you step into a leadership position does that mean you should be available 24/7?
No! The notion that CEO, managers, and executives need to be on their emails at all hours of the day and night or accessible by text at all times is a BIG myth.
Successful leadership is not about being busy 24/7 and having your hand in every detail.
Leaders need to allow their teams to flourish on their own. Be available to answer questions in a timely fashion, but empower team members to make decisions and trust in their knowledge and skill set.
Leaders are models. If you give the impression that working 24/7 and being constantly available is how to be a leader in your organization, you're creating an expectation that employees should be working 27/4 if they want to succeed, too.
Leading is all about setting expectations and modeling good practices while allowing employees to be resourceful and industrious.
6. Leaders Need to Know it All
Leaders need to know it all is one of the biggest myths I’ve come across during my 20 years in corporate leadership.
As children, we are driven by curiosity as we explore the world. We asked questions, tried new things, and created based on what we discovered.
As adults, the best leaders still show an eagerness to learn and discover new ways. Leaders don’t know it all and they don’t need to know it all!
Thinking that you need to have all the answers at all times can create a toxic, self-defeating mentality. (Hello, imposter syndrome!)
7. Leaders Can't Be Vulnerable
It takes bravery to lead with vulnerability.
For many years, I’ve explored what authentic leadership means to me. Authenticity, authentic, real, genuine. All of these words have been paired with leadership.
Authentic leadership, for me, is:
Showing vulnerability
Having integrity
Leading with transparency and consistency
Become The Leader You Want To Be
There are many myths about leadership that can hold you back from being the best leader you can be. However, these myths are based on outdated ideas and untrue assumptions.
If you're interested in learning more about how to evolve your leadership style, book a free 20-minute session where you'll be able to explore what's holding you back and how you can break through to become the leader you want to be.
