Why You Don't Determine If You're a Leader

Positional leadership is the weakest form of leadership.

Translation: if you need a title to lead, you're not truly leading.

I read a quote today that stated "micromanagement is a skill used when you don't know how to lead people."

I couldn't agree more.

If you're waiting to get promoted to a leadership role my question to you is:

"Will you be ready when it arrives?"

Leadership isn't a natural transition that happens at work.

That's the reason why new managers struggle with team performance, morale and retention so much.

Just because you were recognized for being a high performer doesn't mean you'll be an effective leader.

Leadership is a completely different skill set.

Not something you learn in the classroom, hard to acquire by researching, or normally taught in the workplace.

Leadership is learned through experience, mostly trial and error.

It's helpful to shadow leaders, talk to mentors and seek advice from experienced leaders.

But all that effort won't guarantee you can lead others well.

My intention isn't a paint a bleak picture or convince you not to lead, but perception about leadership is not reality.

The biggest mindset shift great leaders make is: from being the best to bring out the best in others.

That means as you rise in rank, your ego must be managed more (not less).

I've always hated the word boss.

There's a hierarchy associated with that title.

If a manager helps you accomplish tasks more effectively, then a boss tells you what to do (or what you're doing wrong).

You're nodding your head right now because everyone has experienced a boss before.

Not everyone truly experiences a leader.

If you truly desire to become a great leader, my advice is to start doing it now.

Voluntary leadership is one of the best teachers.

Volunteers don't yield any power or money to make you stay.

It's leadership at its purest, simply based on your relationships with each team member.

When I look back at my career and social life, the most exciting opportunities to lead came from created roles.

It starts by building trust, strengthened by a consistent work ethic while keeping your word, and validated over time.

Leadership is not for the faint of heart.

Anyone who steps into leadership thinking people below you will instantly give you authority is in for a rude awakening.

Once you obtain a position of leadership, the process of earning respect starts.

Leaders are not defined by titles, but by the people who follow them.

If you look behind you and no one is following, you're not a leader.

That doesn't mean leaders are in the business of recruiting minions.

It's just the opposite.

Great leaders are in the business of developing more leaders and ultimately succession (replacing themselves).

No matter where you are in your leadership journey know that leadership is about action.

There's a time and place for waiting, but leaders usually seize and create opportunities to lead.

Similar to the teaching profession, years of tenure don't make you a better leader.

In fact, veteran leaders need to guard against complacency.

Once you believe you've arrived as a leader is the day you lose it.

I see leadership all the time amongst groups of kids.

There's no assigned leader in social situations.

Someone steps up and others follow suit.

Therefore age should never be a requirement.

Give me an aspiring leader who's hungry to learn, willing to serve, and strives to improve their soft skills and I will take that over an experienced leader any day.

Great leaders aren't defined by a title.

They're called one by their loyal followers.