Leaders are losing the courage to be leaders

Every day, I speak with leaders, people who are in leadership roles and/or have a leader mindset, and their complaints are becoming more outspoken, and also much more the same. 

“If I do what I really want to do, I will be in trouble” is being repeated by many of them, time and time again. 

Leadership has never been easy, as it promotes dynamics of both attraction and repulsion. 

Maybe something that you don’t hear every day, but a leader is an interruption to a natural group dynamic. As humans, we are able to create an instantaneous group dynamic, approaching some people while actively avoiding others. 

A leader is someone that will see this and will interfere to create a more efficient dynamic with the focus on the results that this leader is responsible for. 

This is the moment that starts to be painful. 

The interference will not make everyone happy – of course not. People tend to like comfort and being pushed into relationships that they don’t want is putting them in an uncomfortable place. They will react – but sometimes that reaction just means that the leader is doing the right thing. 

Organizations need to start being comfortable with the pain of having leaders around. 

Most articles and opinion pieces that I read these days are just blaming leaders and saying that they are not doing the best for their teams. And leaders are screaming at the top of their lungs: “I cannot do what needs to be done. I am a people pleasure and not a leader!” 

If you promote someone to leadership, remember to give them:

·      Trust

·      Autonomy

·      Time 

·      Resources 

Leaders are losing the courage to stay true to their values, and to do things as they want to, because there is no trust in them. 

If you want to know who is really a leader – a courageous one – look for someone who can: 

·      Address problems without blaming

·      Approach a group dynamic with respect 

·      Interrupt a group dynamic by focusing on the talents 

·      Inspire people based on trust 

·      Bring the truth to the table with kindness 

·      Take responsibility for themselves and promote that in others 

·      Be in different positions in the group dynamic when necessary

Always remember that leadership is much more about people than about tasks. 

Being curious about people and how they operate makes all the rest simple and natural.  Ligia Koijen Ramos

Philosopher & CEO | Rewiring how leaders think, communicate, and lead teams | Board Advisor | Keynote Speaker