These 5 beliefs could be stunting your leadership

Scott Cochrane July 19, 2020

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What you believe as a leader will ultimately determine who you become as a leader.

Unfortunately, the beliefs that many leaders cling to are not only outdated, but they can severely limit the growth potential of a leader who subscribes to these ideas.

Here are five of the most commonly held bizarre leadership beliefs that do more harm than good.

1. "Never let them see you sweat."

This belief emanated from a day when a leader was expected to project Superman-like perfection. The reality is that today, such projection of being unflappable tends to generate more suspicion than it does respect.

This is not to say that the leader can afford to project ongoing, unending fear and uncertainty. But leaders must be seen as authentic.

2. "It's lonely at the top."

The image that comes to mind when one thinks of this classic leadership belief is that of the isolated leader. However, a leader need be only as lonely as she or he chooses to be.

Leaders must take it upon themselves to broaden and deepen their relational world.

3. "It's not what you know, it's who you know."

The idea was that leadership development was the result not of personal growth as much as it was a byproduct of having secret access to the 'who's who' of certain power brokers.

Such a concept today is laughably outdated.

True, leaders must always broaden their relational world, but this is to the benefit of others, not for self-advancement.

4. "Don't work harder; work smarter."

Somewhere along the line, "smart work" came to be considered the opposite of hard work.

Today's leaders know that working hard IS working smart.

5. "You can't teach an old dog new tricks."

Yes, there was once a belief that, at a certain point of development, leaders would naturally hit a learning ceiling.

But look around today. You'll quickly see that, no matter the age, effective leaders just keep learning.

Leaders have an obligation to continue their personal development. And one of the most important ways to ensure such growth is to strip away any outdated and outmoded leadership beliefs.

So take a moment to consider whether any of these axioms are limiting your leadership.

Because what you believe will determine who you become.

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Scott Cochrane serves on the executive team for the Willow Creek Association, as Vice President, International Ministries. He was born and raised in Canada, where he became connected to the Willow Creek Association, first as a marketing director and later as the ministry’s Chief Operating Officer. Following a five-year stint as Executive Pastor of a large church, Scott returned to Willow Creek Canada in 2009 as Executive Director, and in 2012 relocated to Illinois to take up his current post with the Willow Creek Association. Learn More »

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