STOP letting these SIX common misconceptions about leadership hold you back.

///A thread about what they are and what to do.

Myth #1 You have to be the "boss" to be a leader

The Truth: Leadership is influence, plain and simple. The leader on the team is the person with influence, not the person with the title.

1b. If you want to be influential, it starts with listening and supporting the people around you.

Three things influential people do:

- Listen
- Focus on understanding
- Build up the people around them

Myth #2 If your team to get better, focus on their weaknesses

The Truth: Focusing on weaknesses will kill your team's culture. If you want them to get better, focus on teaching them how to use their strengths to overcome obstacles.

2b. Focusing on strengths is a great way to reengage your team.

Focusing on Strengths does THREE things:

- Instills confidence
- Creates engagement
- Improves the quality of life

Myth #3 Your team will be bought in because you are the boss

The Truth: The majority of the team doesn't care about your title. If they are going to be bought in, they need to know how they benefit from working for you.

3b. Make sure you understand what motivates and inspires each individual on your team. Tap into this and communicate your desire to support them often.

- Bosses give orders
- Leader connect
- Your team needs connection

Myth #4 Extroverts make the best leaders

The Truth: Introverts and Extroverts both make exceptional leaders. There are pros and cons to each. The importance is having the self-awareness necessary to reach your potential.

4b. Not promoting someone because they don't speak out in meeting as often as you'd like is putting your team at risk of hiring the wrong person.

- Introverts can be impactful leaders
- Extroverts can be impactful leaders
- They just do it differently

#5 Management equals leadership

The Truth: People management involves two things, people and management. You have to lead people and manage things. The best leaders do both well.

5b. When I hear of teams struggling with a disengaged work force, I start with these questions:

- What is your people development strategy?
- What is your people recognition strategy?
- How do you know your team is executing?

#6 The leader should make all the decisions

The Truth: The Leader should limit the number of decisions they make. You can create a team of problem solvers by empowering them to make critical decisions.

6b. Making all the decisions is telling your team that you don't trust them to make decisions.

Effective delegation provides

- Development Opportunities
- Work off your plate
- A chance to develop trust

What myths would you add?

And if you are ready to make an impact, be sure to pick up my Free (for now) Weekly Impact Planner. http://gumroad.com/l/yATaN