10 Reasons You Shouldn’t Be a Leader
September 12, 2009 by Phil Gerbyshak
Filed under Business
In a recent article about You Shouldn’t be a Manager commenter (and my real-life neighbor) Clint Laskowski shared some powerful leadership imperatives. When I saw him today around the the neighborhood, I told him I’d share his 10 leadership imperatives.
10 Reasons you Shouldn’t be a Leader
1. If you can’t influence others to accomplish the mission, you shouldn’t be a leader.
2. If you have no mission, vision, strategy, goal, or deadline, you shouldn’t be a leader.
3. If you can’t communicate effectively, you shouldn’t be a leader.
4. If you can’t set the example, you shouldn’t be a leader.
5. If you can’t get out of the way when appropriate, you shouldn’t be a leader.
6. If you are not visible or prefer to hide in your office all day, you shouldn’t be a leader.
7. If you can’t build trust and respect, you shouldn’t be a leader.
8. If you can’t see the big picture, you shouldn’t be a leader.
9. If you must be led, you shouldn’t be a leader.
10. If you can’t envision a better tomorrow, you shouldn’t be a leader.
And new friend and commenter Julie Hoffmann shared a brilliant #11.
11. If nobody is following you, you’re not a leader.
What would you add to this list?
Leadership Training USMC Style photo credit
If you don’t understand that self-service needs to be subordinated to service above self.
If you don’t encourage your team members to reach for their goals, you shouldn’t be a leader.
If you are more concerned about being “in charge,” you shouldn’t be a leader.
If you can’t take pride in the accomplishments of others, you shouldn’t be a leader.
If you can’t trust others to do a task well, you shouldn’t be a leader.
If you can’t take risks and encourage others to do the same, you shouldn’t be a leader.
If you’re waiting for someone to give you the title, rank, authority or permission you need to lead, you shouldn’t be a leader.