Debunking Leadership Myths

Have you noticed that there is a significant increase in leadership posts on LinkedIn? The engagement on my posts that talk about leadership has significantly increased. That’s because leadership has become more critical than ever in this rapidly changing and interconnected world that requires navigating uncertainty, embracing technology, and addressing global challenges.

In this month’s newsletter, I debunk some myths around leadership that I hear from my network and share some resources to help you hone your leadership skills.

?? Myth #1: You need a big title in an organization to be a leader - No, you don’t. In last few months, we have seen enough examples of poor management and abrasive behavior from CEOs and senior executives that proves that being a high-ranked person in an organization doesn’t make them a leader. Leadership is a mindset. Right mindset, skillset, and toolset make a leader, not the org charts. So with this myth debunked, you can now stop correlating your title or position in the company to your ability to show up as a leader.

?? Myth #2: You need a leadership certification to be a credible leader - No, you don’t. Instead of focusing on certification and finding the right time to get one, focus on continuous learning. Use online courses, books, podcasts, interactions with your network to learn new concepts and open yourself to new experiences. It is your knowledge on a subject area and your lived experiences that will help you establish your credibility. Spending 30 minutes everyday to learn something new is a great way to build a habit of continuous learning.

??? Myth #3: You need to have all answers to be a leader - No, you don’t. The reality that leaders do not have all the answers. Instead, they have innate ability to ask the right questions. They empower their team by fostering a culture of open communication and encouraging diverse perspectives, and leverage collective intelligence to get to the right answers.

?? Myth #4: You need to be an extrovert to be a leader - No you don’t. ?Leaders come in all forms - extroverts, introverts and ambiverts. What matters most is the ability to communicate effectively, build relationships, and inspire others. If you can show up with authenticity and can inspire others, you can be a leader.

?? Myth #5: You need to always be in control as a leader - No, you don’t. Leaders are human beings who have emotions and can make mistakes. Leaders have the courage to admit their mistakes, show vulnerability, and seek feedback. By acknowledging their imperfections, leaders foster a growth mindset environment that encourages innovation and learning from failures.

Leaders are not born - Our lived experiences, our unique stories, our perspectives, and our ability to inspire others through those, provide each one of us a unique opportunity to be a leader.

I would love to hear other myths that have held you back to show up as a leader.

PS: Your comments, shares, likes, and messages provide me motivation to keep bringing these insights to you. Make sure to subscribe so that you don’t miss out on future newsletters. And yes, repost and share this newsletter with your network :)?

PS: I will be taking a 3-month break to focus on big projects that I am working on and will be back in October. Stay tuned!

Resources:

·?????A 30-minute free call with me to help you design your leadership journey

·?????Leadership habits you need to develop

·?????Succeeding as a First-Time Tech Manager