10 Myths About Leadership
Last year I had the pleasure of temporarily leading our psychiatry department. It was a difficult but in the end rewarding job. That’s probably why a recent publication in Healthcare Executive drew my attention: The 10 most common myths about leadership.
- Leadership and management are the same dynamic.Leadership is more about vision, culture and values within an organization. Management is about executing plans, details and GTD.
- Having a big title (CEO, CFO, VP) makes you a leader. Titles only help you getting things done but there is no relationship between titles and leadership.
- Leaders can motivate others. Your task as a leader is to create an atmosphere in which your employees get motivated.
- Leadership is easier than management. Leading can be very complicated and hard work
- Leadership is a function of academic success. This can be a pitfall. Academic achievements don’t always make you a good leader.
- Leadership is about being liked. Being a leader goes with making unpopular decisions
- Leadership means you have a lot of friends. Leadership is lonely
- Leadership is about the “soft stuff.” Leadership is about dealing with people and making decisions
- Leadership is about the tangibles—i.e., metrics and making money.
- Everyone can be a leader.
Be sure to read the whole article if this has evoked some interest. The myths are commented on by healthcare leaders who share their thoughts. Do you miss any myths?
Birk S (2010). The 10 most common myths about leadership. Healthcare executive, 25 (6) PMID: 21229904
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January 18, 2011 @ 10:24 pm
This is a great post and I thank you sharing it. We cannot learn enough about leadership. I do disagree with the last myth though. I do believe everyone can in fact be a leader. Here’s why: http://wp.me/phwBD-92 Everyone leads at different times, and not everyone is called to every leadership position. At times we need to follow, but we all at times lead. I hope you read the link I inserted and leave me a comment too. I’ll be back. Great stuff.
January 19, 2011 @ 3:32 pm
I don’t know of anyone who thinks that ‘Leadership’ and ‘Management’ are the same thing. So for starters, it’s a myth that that one is even a myth.
Actually, the hackneyed ‘myth’ is that ‘Leadership’ is about “vision, culture and values” (Managers care about those things too), and the ‘Management’ is about “executing plans, details and GTD.” In short, the Leader is the sexy vision/values guy and the Manager is just a workhorse tool to get things done.
I prefer the model that ‘Leaders optimise upside, Manager minimise downside.’ For example, in this model, both have ‘vision’. Leaders have a vision of opportunity and aspiration, Managers have a vision of risks and challenges.
January 19, 2011 @ 9:46 pm
Valuable addition, thanks Dr Shock
January 21, 2011 @ 4:40 pm
This is list is very interesting. There are many misconceptions about leadership. One thing thought that I must disagree with is the fact that leadership cannot be taught. I believe there are an array of skills that are required to be a great leader. But still, with that right training and mentorship, anyone willing to put in the work can become a leader.
Thanks for the read!
~Sheiloh Shane
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