The Leadership Delusion

After more than three decades in corporate trenches, I've witnessed many stomach-churning, self-crowned emperors of mediocrity masquerading as leaders. We know the type: corporate clowns who've perfected the art of turning team successes into personal trophies while maintaining a carefully curated collection of motivational posters they've never lived by. Their corner offices have become graveyards where good ideas go to die, and talented people plot their escape.

But real leadership? It's like comparing two orchestra conductors: one stands at a safe distance, passive-aggressively waving their baton while criticising and belittling hard-working, talented individuals ("that's not how I would do it"), sending snide emails about "room for improvement," and engineering their next promotion — all while wondering why everyone keeps quitting. The true leader, however, intimately understands each team member's strengths, personal journey, and actively advocates on their behalf.

The true leader, intimately understands each team member's strengths, personal journey, and actively advocates on their behalf.

Under the clowns - the toxic leaders, the workplace culture becomes a suffocating environment where only their voice matters. Their leadership style follows a predictable pattern of destruction:

• Act I: Opens with them taking credit for others' work
• Act II: Features the slow death of innovation through "let's circle back" meetings
• Act III: Culminates in another talented team member updating their LinkedIn profile

The talent exodus is so predictable we could set our watches to it: Join organisation, realise potential is being suffocated, watch ideas die in "parking lot" purgatory, exit stage left. Rinse and repeat.

Having watched countless talented teams wither under these toxic "leaders" who treat culture like a buzzword and empowerment like a threat to their throne, I’m sure we can all agree — the difference between a boss and a leader isn't just semantics. It's the difference between someone who uses their team as stepping stones and someone who helps them reach the summit.

True leaders nurture an organisational culture where every person knows their value, understands their role, and gets opportunities to shine when they're ready.

The result? A workplace that doesn't just retain talent — it helps it soar. While the corporate bosses are busy practising their power poses in front of boardroom mirrors, true leaders are already planning tomorrow's growth opportunities, knowing that each day brings another chance to make their team even stronger.

We're suffering from a critical imbalance: an abundance of climbers and a scarcity of genuine guides

In today's talent market, we're suffering from a critical imbalance: an abundance of climbers and a scarcity of genuine guides. The measure of leadership isn't found in fancy titles or corner offices — it's in creating an environment where people genuinely want to stay, grow, and contribute. A compelling vision that not only excites but ignites consistent, purposeful action across the organisation.

After all, in the grand theatre of business, what legacy will we choose? Will we be remembered as another ego behind a mahogany nameplate, or as the leaders who built something people were proud to be part of?

The choice is ours. May we never forget that true leadership isn't about directing from a distance — it's about being willing to roll up our sleeves and do any job that needs doing. And in my experience, those who can't handle the actual work usually shout orders the loudest.

#leadership