Leadership Myth: A Leader's Primary Focus is on Leading Others

MYTH:?A Leader's Primary Focus is on Leading Others

Well, this myth might seem like it should not be a myth. It’s the truth, right? Leaders have to be good at leading others; otherwise, they wouldn’t be leaders. Yet, what have we?experienced about leadership in the past? Just because someone is in a leadership position, it doesn't mean they are a true leader. We've heard leaders say that "Leadership is influence."?This?has been a popular definition of leadership for decades, if not longer.?

Influence means getting others to do what you want them to do. That's manipulation, not leadership. Leadership is much more than influence and motivation.

FACT:?The Best Leaders Focus on Clarity

A few numbers from McKinsey & Company:

• 66.7% of employees say their sense of purpose comes from their work
• 82% of employees believe that it's important for their company to have a clearly defined purpose
• 93% of employees, once inspired by a company's credible purpose (meaning it isn't just words on a wall), say they are likely to recommend that company to others

An organization's?purpose is crucial. It addresses the essential question of “why”—a question that employees now?expect?their leaders to satisfy with regard to the workplace.

The best leaders don't focus on influence. Why? Because they know that clarity around purpose, strategy, and responsibilities will inspire and motivate them to do the work.?So, they focus on?clarity.?Clarity of purpose and clarity of thought are the keys. In order to be clear about these things, a leader must focus on themselves and, more specifically, their message.

As Christopher Avery, Ph.D., says,?"Leaders must focus on their own authenticity and integrity so they can face their own anxieties as well as the major anxiety of their team, and point to a path through the trouble saying ‘follow me'."?

The real essence of leadership starts with?self-leadership.

The question isn't?“What do I need to?do?to make them do their job?”?

The question is:?“Who do I need to?be?so that they will trust me, join me, and willingly follow me?”?

As a leader, you possess a special opportunity to guide your team, your organization, and your community toward a better tomorrow by creating clarity. So, your first job is to create clarity for yourself. You need to identify and utilize your best thinking, find your voice, and align your approach with your brilliance to be that leader!

Want to learn more about?CLARITY?and?WHO YOU NEED TO?BE? so that others will trust you, join you, and willingly follow you?

? ? Join me on January 18th or 20th for this free LIVE web event:

Getting UNSTUCK & Becoming UNSTOPPABLE: The Keys to CREATING CLARITY in 2023

Are you feeling stuck?

Not as productive as you'd like to be?

Did last year look and feel like the year before it?

Discover how to find the energy and excitement to break free from any rut you may face - professionally, personally,?or relationally - so you can become unstoppable.

Click here?to learn more and register!