That's the question that's been put forward by John over at The Leadership Epidemic. He wants to know and has asked a lot of people to chime in with their thoughts.
Well, John, since you asked...
I think it sucks that people are put into a position of leadership but then never do anything that even slightly resembles leadership.
Once they are elected, selected, coerced, manipulated, chosen, cajoled, forced, randomly placed, and/or inherit a leadership position, they think they're a leader. They wear the nametag, they put on the polo with the cool logo, they might even have an office - but they don't lead...well...anyone.
I'm not talking about people who arrive at a position and lead poorly. I'm thinking of those who don't lead period. Leadership can be learned. It can be improved upon. If you're bad...the hope is you will get better. If you don't try...the hope is we can get someone else in there who will.
What does a person-in-a-leadership-position-but-doesn't-lead look like?
· Gets no one else involved
· Focused on tasks not people
· Doesn't raise up anyone else to do the job
· Isn't accountable
· Doesn't want to lead
I'm not wanting to sound overly negative (but you asked what sucks...) toward the leader-in-name-only individual. But let's be honest about the situation and move aside to get someone in there who wants to lead. Being a follower is also a respectable line of work.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT: What frustrates you about people in leadership positions that don't lead?
SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT: What do you think sucks about leadership?
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Tim Milburn
Student Leadership Consultant & Speaker
www.studentlinc.net
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