The Five Myths of Leadership

John Maxwell's book, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, covers the common myths of what leadership is all about. Maxwell notes five myths, which I have explained below:

1. The Management Myth – no matter how many people say it's truth, leading and managing are not the same. Managing is a maintenance mentality. It is all about maintaining the status quo and repeating the systems and process that are already in place. Leading on the other hand is focused on taking others with you on a journey to best. It is about influencing them to better themselves and in turn, better the team.
2. The Entrepreneur Myth – an entrepreneurial knack for discovering opportunities and taking the necessary measures to bring them to life is an important quality for a leader to have. However, it must be coupled with a talent for effectively communicating the vision to the followers. Unfortunately, many entrepreneur-minded people are lacking in the vision-casting department and followers, if there are any, are left to blindly wander through.
3. The Knowledge Myth – "people don't care what you know until they know that you care." Just because you went to an ivy-league school doesn't mean people will automatically do whatever you say. You must first prove that you care about them and care about the cause you are asking them to put their own efforts into.
4. The Pioneer Myth – just because you are the first one out of the gate doesn't automatically make you a leader. You can be the first person to do, have or say anything. But if you are the only one that does it, has it or says it then you do not have the influence that is required to be a leader.
5. The Position Myth – so many people believe that because they have a certain rank or title that they have the authority to lead, however many followers are not impressed by position alone. Again, in order to be a true leader there must actually be people following. As you begin to earn the respect and trust of others and they begin to see through your actions and attitudes that you are someone worth following.