Leaders come in all shapes and sizes, and one of the most common ways they are recognized is by their title. Titles like CEO, manager, or supervisor are used to indicate a person’s level of authority and responsibility within an organization. However, it is important to remember that a title is not what makes a leader, it’s the actions and behavior of the person that hold the title that truly determine their effectiveness as a leader.
Falling in love with your leadership title can have negative consequences for both you and your team. Here are four ways in which falling in love with your title can be bad for your leadership:
Leading with arrogance: A leader who becomes too attached to their title may begin to believe that they are better than others. This can lead to arrogance, which can make it difficult for them to connect with and understand the needs of their team.
Leading with inaccessibility: A leader who is enamored with their title may become isolated and detached from their team. This can make them seem unapproachable, and make it difficult for team members to communicate with or ask questions of their leader.
Leading with lack of empathy: When a leader is focused on their title, they may become less empathetic and understanding of the concerns of their team members. This can lead to a lack of trust and respect from their team, which is a key part of effective leadership.
Leading with neglect of responsibilities: When a leader is preoccupied with their title, they may neglect their actual responsibilities, like decision making, team management and problem-solving, causing problems in the team and organization.
In conclusion, effective leadership is not about the title, it’s about the actions and behavior of the person who holds it. It’s about how they show up, how they conduct themselves, and how they lead their team.
Lead From Within: When it comes to leadership it’s important to remember that titles are meaningless without the actions to back them up.
#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E R
The Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness
After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
- 12 Successful Leadership Principles That Never Grow Old
- A Leadership Manifesto: A Guide To Greatness
- How to Succeed as A New Leader
- 12 of The Most Common Lies Leaders Tell Themselves
- 4 Proven Reasons Why Intuitive Leaders Make Great Leaders
- The One Quality Every Leader Needs To Succeed
- The Deception Trap of Leadership
Of Lolly’s many awards and accolades, Lolly was designated a Top-50 Leadership and Management Expert by Inc. magazine. Huffington Post honored Lolly with the title of The Most Inspiring Woman in the World. Her writing has appeared in HBR, Inc.com, Fast Company (Ask The Expert), Huffington Post, and Psychology Today, and others. Her newest book, The Leadership Gap: What Gets Between You and Your Greatness has become a national bestseller.