There's more to leadership than having a notable title and being in charge of a team. You might have the authority to manage other people, but if you're an unsuccessful leader, you won't be able to guide and inspire your employees to accomplish their goals.
The business pages of the world's newspapers are filled with stories about managers and executives who suddenly self destruct because of their lack of leadership skills. Individuals who were once considered to be successful ultimately fail, either ending up in a dead-end career or let go by their once seemingly loyal organization. This phenomenon is called derailment. Just as a train falls off of its tracks, this breakdown is never intentional, and it almost always causes considerable damage. The good news is that derailment can be predicted, and even prevented, when managers are given the right leadership skills resources.
There's more to leadership than having a notable title and being in charge of a team. You might have the authority to manage other people, but if you're an unsuccessful leader, you won't be able to guide and inspire your employees to accomplish their goals.
Ask any leader about effective leadership they’ve witnessed, and they can probably name a favorite teacher they would choose to emulate. That’s because great leaders are born through experience and mentoring. But to become great, leaders need more than a positive role model. They need training.
Why do some leaders flourish while others fail? Effective leaders positively influence the behavior of their followers, getting them to work toward shared goals. But leaders have different ways in which they characteristically influence others. One leader may typically appeal to team members’ competitive drive. Another leader may rally the troops around a cause. Yet another leader may bolster their self-confidence. Still another leader may guide team members according to carefully laid plans. Whose way of leading is best? It all depends.