John Rampton, an investor, online marketing expert, and founder of the online payment company Due, will share his insights on these misconceptions.
Photo: John Rampton. Source: 99designs
1. Entrepreneurs are leaders.
There's a common assumption that all entrepreneurs are born leaders. In reality, having a great and timely idea doesn't automatically mean you have the ability to organize, run, and scale a business, even if you turn it into a multi-million dollar enterprise. If you don't possess the necessary leadership qualities, you should set your ego aside and hand the reins to those who are more suited to them.
2. Don't be weak.
Many believe that leaders must always be steadfast and possess a broad vision. They see easily accepting mistakes, changing direction, or following others as a sign of weakness. This is not true. Strong leaders learn from their own mistakes and embrace all feedback. They demonstrate their character by listening to and caring for their employees.
3. We must always be all-powerful.
Most employees want to be cared for and respected by their leaders. They want their thoughts and concerns to be actively heard. The best way for leaders to achieve this is to enhance their emotional intelligence. Increasing your EQ helps you become more self-aware, empathetic, and communicative. From there, you can build a stronger sense of camaraderie with your employees.
4. Introverts cannot be leaders.
Extroverts are always open, solving problems through discussion and seeking advice from those around them. Introverts, on the other hand, tend to be more reserved, often finding ideas on their own, not knowing how to listen to others, and engaging in internal debates. Therefore, it's not surprising that extroverts are best suited for leadership roles. However, the reality is that not all extroverts are leaders. Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, and Barack Obama are all introverts and successful leaders.
Photo: Former US President Barack Obama (2009 - 2017). Source: Biography
5. Lack of time to develop leadership skills.
Skills need to be honed through practice to reach their full potential. The excuse of "not having enough time" is unacceptable. We all have 24 hours in a day, and everyone is busy. The problem isn't that you don't have enough time in the day; it's that you don't know how to manage your time effectively.
6. Leadership is synonymous with management.
According to Warren Bennis: "Management is about leading, getting things done, taking responsibility, and getting things done. Leadership is about influencing, about directing how things are done, how things are done, and about perspectives." There are many differences between these two positions, such as: management sets goals based on a vision; leadership creates that vision; management accepts the status quo; leadership changes it; ...
7. All leaders are pioneers.
Pioneers aren't necessarily a bad thing. They are independent, ambitious, competitive, risk-aware, and goal-oriented. But they certainly want everyone to approve and follow their plans. A leader, on the other hand, knows when to set aside their ego. A leader will identify talent and motivate the team toward a shared purpose and vision.
8. The people I work with always tell the truth.
They might not lie to you completely. But, they'll only give you half the truth if you're a "tough" person. To "extract" honesty from your employees, you need to learn to control your emotions. Without enough information, you won't be able to make sound decisions and develop yourself as a leader. Furthermore, focus on what needs to be done next, instead of pointing fingers and giving people second chances.
9. Learn to accept challenges alone.
Sometimes, you should work alongside your employees. As a leader, you should focus primarily on making decisions, prioritizing tasks, and taking responsibility. Less important issues should be automated, delegated, or outsourced so you don't become mentally or physically exhausted. Remember – lead with your own work, not by prioritizing others' work.
Illustrative image. Source: Pexels
10. Never sleep
The truth is, everyone, regardless of their position, needs time to rest. Working non-stop will quickly destroy you. By resting, you can clear your mind and reduce stress. As a result, you will become a more dynamic, focused, and creative leader.
According to Cafebiz
