What does true leadership look like? What type of leader do you want to be? What type of leader do you admire? Will future generations admire us for the leaders we have chosen to follow?
Motivational speaker Matt Mayberry says, “True leadership is much more than authority and recognition from the outside world. Instead, leadership is all about developing people and helping others reach their full potential.” He goes on to say, “The best leaders to ever live, not only succeeded at helping their team win…but they deeply cared for people and understood what a privilege it is to be a leader. The leaders that are too caught up in egotistical gratification rather than the development of their people will surely fall short in the long run. There is a major difference between true leadership and authority-driven management.”
What does it feel like when you go to work where true leadership is alive and well? You learn, you grow, and you are encouraged to take calculated risks. You are inspired to do better and be better. No matter our title, we all have the opportunity to lead. You may have direct reports, or you may lead a team on a special project. Look hard at the words on the picture above – is that you? We certainly aren’t perfect (I know I am far from it!), but we should strive to bring integrity, commitment, passion, wisdom, honesty, sensitivity, encouragement and support to our teams every day. I am going to work hard to remind myself of this fact – and you?
I am pretty certain we have all worked in environments where authority-driven management and toxic relationships were the norm, versus true leadership. I recently discovered an article written by Jean Kim for Psychology Today identifying the 8 Traits of Toxic Leadership to Avoid. She explains how these toxic traits can damage a workplace’s emotional culture and how they can hold an organization back from reaching its full potential. Do these traits sound familiar?
- Unwillingness to listen to feedback
- Excessive self-promotion and self-interest
- Lying and inconsistency
- Lack of moral philosophy
- Rewarding incompetence and lack of accountability
- Lack of general support and mentoring
- Cliquishness (insecure leaders who surround themselves with “yes” people)
- Bullying and harassment
Ms. Kim reminds us that leaders should be held to a higher standard since they are responsible for more than just themselves. I challenge all of us to hold ourselves to a higher standard. If you work in a culture of authority-driven management, maybe it is time to make a change. If you live in a community, a state, a province or a country where true leadership is missing, help raise the level of awareness to the need for change. Let’s start holding all of our leaders to a higher standard. Why? Because we are fabulous, we can effect change, and we can make a difference.
Be strong!
Good insight. Leadership is tough to understand by those with the responsibility to lead. It is sometimes tough for those without good leadership to experience. But when it all lines up, potential is fulfilled.