Leadership. The word conjures up images of men in suits in high-powered corporate positions leading their companies through the minefield of competition. But yet, leadership has nothing to do with companies or competition or even men in suits.
Corporate America has somehow stolen the word leadership and equated it with executive position within an organization. That has done a huge disservice to the concept of leadership by dumbing it down to a simple philosophy of title equating to leaders. There are many struggling and failed CEO’s who fancied themselves leaders but couldn’t convince their employees and shareholders to follow. It boils down to this simple premise: if you have no followers, you’re not leading – and just because you pay them doesn’t mean that your employees can be called followers.
There is no governing body that administrates leadership, leadership consultants, leadership courses or books and media dealing with leadership. You will, however, see re-branded management courses touting themselves as leadership courses and offering certificates in leadership if you pay your tuition and spend your time in the classes. But is that leadership really?
People don’t follow a certificate or a diploma (sorry to rain on your parade MBA’s). No, leadership is something more than checking items off of a list. Leadership is an ATTITUDE. Leadership is an attitude in the way that you conduct yourself in the world – a way in which you carry yourself and the way you think and treat others.
People follow people who deserve to be followed - not because they have a title.
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Kevin Burns - Workplace Expert and Speaker
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