Private Security Professionals of America

By Kamran Akbarzadeh  |   Submitted On May 16, 2012

Knowledge evolves over time. What was believed as fact a century ago may not be fact any longer. The twentieth-century leadership ideas may not work in the twenty-first century. Various factors such as cultural beliefs, societal conditions, political situations, people's level of understanding, technological advancements, and collective consciousness affect the knowledge of a certain subject. Knowledge related to any subject, including leadership, needs to be updated, and so does the list of myths and facts related to that subject. The following is a list of myths and their corresponding facts about leadership in the twenty-first century. The more we integrate these leadership facts into our organizations the more we evolve and succeed as a person, team, and organization.

Myth no. 1: Leaders are born.

Many believe that ordinary people cannot be leaders because effective leaders are born with extraordinary abilities. This is a myth. The fact is that leadership can be learned. People can be authentic leaders if they are true to themselves and others and if they get out of their comfort zone. It is true that some great leaders in history such as Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Winston Churchill, Martin Luther King Jr., and Nelson Mandela were born with a big purpose to take the lead for their nation, but it does not mean that others cannot lead effectively and authentically.

As John C. Maxwell said, "The ability to lead is really a collection of skills, nearly all of which can be learned and improved." Effective leaders are always eager to learn and enhance their skills. Everyone has a special purpose that requires taking on leadership to fulfill a purpose in life. If you think that you are not capable as a leader, perhaps that is the lesson you have to learn. Accept leadership roles and learn more by doing in order to unlock the door to success and fulfill your true purpose in life.

Myth no. 2: You need a title to lead.

Many people believe that they cannot lead unless they have a position or title in their organization. How often do you think that if you had this title or that position, you could do a lot more? How often do you think that your company's problems have nothing to do with you and it is your manager's job to deal with those problems? This is not the way that authentic leaders think.

Don't you think that if all employees in your company had the mind-set that they could lead in one way or another, many problems could be solved? Don't you think that if your managers could empower you to take more leadership roles without having a title, you would be motivated to help them achieve the company's vision?

The fact is that you do not need a title to lead. Leadership without title is what companies, organizations, associations, communities, and teams need to guarantee long-term success with less effort. Leadership without title is what we need in the twenty-first century if we want to end suffering and become happy.

Myth no. 3: Leadership starts from the outside in.

Many believe that the act of leadership is separate from the person who leads. They think that the process of leadership should be similar to creating a product or corporate brand. This way of looking at leadership is called leadership from the outside in where the focus is more on the outside elements of leadership rather than the leader. This is a myth.

The truth is that leadership starts from the inside out. In his book Leadership from Inside Out, Kevin Cashman said, "Leadership comes from a deeper reality within us; it comes from our values, principles, life experiences, and essence. Leadership is a process, an intimate expression of who we are. It is our whole person in action."

As long as we do not know who we are, what our core values are, and how we can serve through leadership, we cannot influence the outer world or lead effectively.

Myth no. 4: Leaders are perfect.

Many people do not take leadership roles because they believe that successful leaders are "perfect." If you think you should become perfect before you take any leadership role, you'd better change your mind.

The truth is that no human being is perfect. Even the most effective and successful leaders have their own weaknesses. The secret is that those who are aware of their shortcomings do not hide them from others. By being authentic and vulnerable, they can overcome their weaknesses and fill the gaps with the help of others and, as a result, guarantee success.

Myth no. 5: You cannot be both a manager and a leader.

Many people believe that management has nothing to do with leadership. They think that good leaders cannot be good managers. The truth is that good leaders can be great managers and vice versa by developing and enhancing certain skills. Successful executives are authentic leaders who understand their colleagues and employees and work with them to achieve common goals and visions. In the twenty-first century, managers need to become authentic leaders if they want to guarantee success.

Myth no. 6: To lead effectively, you need to talk a lot.

Many people believe that successful leaders are extroverted. They believe that successful communicators talk more and that in order to influence others, you need to be able to talk well. In other words, if someone is quiet, he or she cannot be an effective leader. This is a myth.

The truth is that effective leaders listen more than they talk. They neither bluff nor exaggerate. They influence others by doing what they say they will and fulfilling their promises. Successful leaders communicate effectively.

Effective communication does not mean talking a lot. It means listening effectively and actively, connecting gracefully, and responding positively.

Myth no. 7: Leadership is about pushing and manipulating others to follow.

Many people believe that in order to be effective in leadership, you need to be stubborn and push people to follow you. They believe that effective leaders use their authority and manipulate others to listen to them and do what they say. They believe that successful leaders control people and events. This is a myth.

The truth is that true leadership is working with people and serving them. It means influencing rather than controlling people, pulling and not pushing. Authentic leaders do not need to force others to follow them. Rather, with their inner powers, authentic leaders pull people toward them like a magnet. With their inner powers, authentic leaders pull people toward them like a magnet.

Myth no. 8: Effective leaders have high education.

Many people believe that successful leaders should have at least a degree in business, management, or leadership. They believe that those who do not possess an academic degree cannot lead effectively. This is a myth.

The reality is that academic education has nothing to do with authentic leadership. Anyone with any level of education can lead. In fact, many successful leaders have had little or no academic education. Successful leaders learn new things all the time, but this does not mean a high level of education in the eyes of society. A leader may have no education yet be knowledgeable in certain areas.

Author's Bio
Kamran Akbarzadeh, PhD, is a motivational and inspiring author, speaker, seminar leader, and coach. In 2009, with a vision to inspire others to live on purpose and lead on purpose, Kamran founded Dream Achievers Academy. As the CEO of the Academy, Kamran believes that the world is in desperate need of authentic leaders who lead with their hearts and who empower people to soar to greatness no matter where they are and what they do. It was this conviction that inspired Kamran to author his Amazon best-selling book, Leadership Soup. With a background in research, engineering, and leadership, Kamran helps business owners, executives, managers, entrepreneurs, and employees achieve productivity, profit, and prosperity by linking purpose, passion, and people through authentic leadership! Kamran has appeared as a guest on many radio shows to talk about his message of authentic leadership.

To receive a special gift package from Kamran, click here http://www.DreamAchieversAcademy.com/gift

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