APRIL 2021 I PCB007 MAGAZINE 59
lunch, that sort of thing is not the same thing as
leading an inspired team united in pursuit of a
challenging goal—is it?
2. The Entrepreneur Myth
e prevailing thought is that entrepreneurs
make great leaders, right? But if you stop and
think about it, that makes no logical sense what-
soever. Just because someone identified a mar-
ket need and moved quickly to exploit an oppor-
tunity doesn't make them a leader. at's a total-
ly different skillset than leadership. An entrepre-
neur may be brilliant and a visionary, but that's
not leadership; what's missing is care for others.
3. The Knowledge Myth
is is a classic myth: information is power
and therefore whoever has the power is a great
leader because leadership equals power, right?
Wrong. Leadership equals influence: you can't
force people to follow you, they have to want to.
4. The Pioneer Myth
is again is a popular fallacy. Just because
someone got there first or is out in front means
they are a leader; wrong again. Once you can
appreciate that leadership is a separate, dis-
tinct skillset this becomes crystal clear.
5. The Position Myth
I think this is the biggest misconception of
all, and the most dangerous because it is so
common. So many people think that it's posi-
tion that makes you a leader: give me the posi-
tion, the title, and the corner office, and then
people will listen to me! It's not position that
makes the leader, it's the leader that makes the
position.
I will close with a timeless quote from a lead-
er that truly gets it:
"Being in power is like being a lady, if you have
to tell people you are, you aren't.
—Margaret atcher PCB007
References
1. The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow
Them and People Will Follow You, by John C. Max-
well, published by HarperCollins Leadership, 2007.
Steve Williams is the presi-
dent of The Right Approach
Consulting. He is an inde-
pendent certified coach,
trainer and speaker with
the John Maxwell team.
To read past columns or
contact Williams, click here.
