Sometimes I think it’s a good idea to reflect and look at the conventional wisdom about leadership. Whenever I do this, I notice that some popular though outdated ideas about leadership still get circulated and practiced. It’s amazing that some of these myths continue to persist currently when they were outdated 20 or more years ago. Times change, and so does the meaning of what leading effectively entails.

Workplaces are more connected, dynamic and diverse than ever before. The economic landscape is entirely different than it has ever been in the past and the needs of people within the workforce are nothing like they were five or ten years ago, let alone decades ago.

To me, leadership needs to be authentic, adaptable, vulnerable and suited to the present needs and moment. Sadly, I still see strong evidence in thinking and behavior that supports the old-school “command and control” style of leadership inside what are perceived to be progressive companies. Myths that were forged in the business world of the 20th century continue to persist despite overwhelming evidence that they are no longer relevant in today’s business landscape.

The belief and practicing of leadership myths like the ones I am about to highlight continue to cause challenges and deliver mediocre performance in organizations around the globe. People desire to be led by modern minds so when it is lacking it creates disengagement, kills motivation and stifles growth at all levels. The brutal reality is that when these five myths form the basis of a leadership approach we are about to describe, it has the potential to destroy a business.

Leadership Myth #1: Leaders Are Born, Not Made

I am often asked the question – are some people naturally born with the ability to lead others? My response is simple and to the point. Leadership is choice that one makes and those who it appears to come more natural for probably really want to be in a position of leading others. It is conscious choice that we make, we are not born with it necessarily. Some may naturally be more charismatic and caring but that does not necessarily mean that they are born to lead others.

Qualities like emotional intelligence, self-awareness and the ability to listen actively are more important than natural charisma or a “take-charge” attitude.

The most effective modern leaders are not born; they are created through hard work, reflection, vulnerability and a willingness to listen and learn. The appearances are that it all comes natural to them or perhaps it their natural ability to be highly self-aware and in control that makes them appear more effective and rightfully so. Bottom line is that is still requires effort and focus to be an effective leader.

Leadership Myth #2: Leaders Must Have all the Answers

The idea that leaders inside an organization must have all the answers, vision and perspective is limited thinking. Leadership is not about rank, title or role – it is a way of being. Sadly, some people may subscribe to the notion that leaders are somehow more effective than others when it comes to generating the best ideas, most effective solutions and outcomes.

The truth is that leaders may or may not be more skilled than others at coming up with answers and solutions. Some leaders rise into their roles because they have a knack for getting things done. But the most effective leaders of the modern business world are those who recognize that the best ideas can come from anywhere and at all levels inside and outside the organization. They keep their ears and eyes wide open and they encourage the generation of ideas from everyone in the business. They look outside themselves for creativity and foster an environment where everyone has a voice.

Leadership Myth #3: Leadership is All About the Bottom Line

On the surface, this myth may be true but how it is executed requires different thinking and approach. At the end of the day, leaders need to ensure that their organizations succeed but when one focuses too much on results, they can become disconnected from the people who actually make things happen.

These days, leadership also needs to focus on people and relationships; therefore, soft skills are ever so critical to deliver results. It is also built by fostering employee engagement and by bringing out the best in each individual. Bottom line results are achieved by building people up, not down and that is the critical difference between high performing organizations and those that struggle to deliver desired goals and objectives.

Leadership Myth #4: Failure is Not an Option

We all want our organizations to be innovative and to possess a competitive advantage in our respective industry. For this to happen, it is necessary to be able to accept failure. Innovation and creativity do not happen without failure, they go hand in hand as part of the learning and exploration process. Sadly, some leaders still advocate and believe the myth that failure is not an option and is unacceptable on the road to success.

People and organizations grow and improve when they are encouraged to take risks and think outside the box. Today’s most effective leaders recognize that mistakes are part of the process of improving. They give their people the freedom to experiment and try new ideas. They don’t restrict people’s creativity and they certainly don’t hand out harsh punishments for mistakes.

Obviously, when a person continuously fails and makes no effort to improve, it’s a problem that needs to be addressed. Leaders need to be able to accept and even encourage failure on the road to innovation, ongoing growth and development.

Leadership Myth #5: Leaders Speak, You Listen

The flow of communication within an organization is a crucial factor for success. Unfortunately, many leaders still believe that the flow should only travel in one direction — from the top down. They believe their role is to speak and the role of the employee is to listen.

When I think about qualities that today’s most effective leaders possess, listening is an attribute that comes up in the top ten skills. The most impactful leaders listen to their people and recognize that great ideas can come from anyone in the organization. They also understand that feedback from their people can help them become better leaders. When communication is encouraged to flow in all directions within a company great things happen and top performance thrives.

Do You Have any Leadership Myths You’d Like to Bust?

I’ve listed five common myths here and know that there are many more out there that might be preventing your company from achieving success.

What leadership myths have you noticed in your organization? How do they affect the way work is done? What leadership myths have you had to unlearn in your journey?

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the topic, so please email me at joanne.trotta@leadersedgeinc.ca