Debunking Leadership Myths

12/03/24 • 44 min

The Visible Leader

I talked to Scott Allen about tackling some of the most persistent myths about leadership.

Why do these myths continue to hold sway, and how do they shape our understanding of what it means to lead?

Scott dives deep into the origins and impact of these myths, encouraging us to rethink traditional views on leadership.

Key questions explored:

Are leaders really born, not made? Scott’s insights challenge this well-worn belief.
How do we define leadership? Spoiler: it’s far more than just holding a title.
Does charisma automatically make someone a good leader, or can it sometimes be a drawback?
Why do so many leaders feel compelled to have all the answers? Scott turns this idea on its head.
Should leaders always be ethical, and is there ever a place for lying in leadership?

Join us as we challenge these myths and offer fresh perspectives that will make you reflect on your own leadership journey. This episode is packed with ideas that could transform your approach to leadership.

Intrigued? Listen now and prepare to rethink what you thought you knew about leading.

Mentioned in the episode:

The Leader’s Framework for Decision Making by Snowden & Boone – A must-read Harvard Business Review article exploring decision-making in leadership.
Research on charisma by John Antonakis – Groundbreaking research on how charisma influences leadership from a professor at the University of Lausanne.
Psychological Safety by Amy Edmondson – Learn more about Amy Edmondson’s pioneering work on creating environments where teams can thrive.
Dissent in organisations by Megan Reitz – Explore Megan Reitz’s research on speaking up and dissent in the workplace, and how leaders can foster open debate.

Find out more about Scott Allen at scottjallen.net or connect with him on LinkedIn

Contact Me:

Book your free 30-minute Leading Smarter Discovery Call https://calendly.com/visiblydifferentcorine/1-2-hr-discoverycall
Download my Leader's Guide to Increasing Your Impact, Influence & Free Time https://www.visibly-different.co.uk/increasing-your-impact/

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with someone who might benefit and don’t forget to leave a rating and review!

I talked to Scott Allen about tackling some of the most persistent myths about leadership.

Why do these myths continue to hold sway, and how do they shape our understanding of what it means to lead?

Scott dives deep into the origins and impact of these myths, encouraging us to rethink traditional views on leadership.

Key questions explored:

Are leaders really born, not made? Scott’s insights challenge this well-worn belief.
How do we define leadership? Spoiler: it’s far more than just holding a title.
Does charisma automatically make someone a good leader, or can it sometimes be a drawback?
Why do so many leaders feel compelled to have all the answers? Scott turns this idea on its head.
Should leaders always be ethical, and is there ever a place for lying in leadership?

Intrigued? Listen now and prepare to rethink what you thought you knew about leading.

Mentioned in the episode:

The Leader’s Framework for Decision Making by Snowden & Boone – A must-read Harvard Business Review article exploring decision-making in leadership.
Research on charisma by John Antonakis – Groundbreaking research on how charisma influences leadership from a professor at the University of Lausanne.
Psychological Safety by Amy Edmondson – Learn more about Amy Edmondson’s pioneering work on creating environments where teams can thrive.
Dissent in organisations by Megan Reitz – Explore Megan Reitz’s research on speaking up and dissent in the workplace, and how leaders can foster open debate.

Find out more about Scott Allen at scottjallen.net or connect with him on LinkedIn

Contact Me:

Book your free 30-minute Leading Smarter Discovery Call https://calendly.com/visiblydifferentcorine/1-2-hr-discoverycall
Download my Leader's Guide to Increasing Your Impact, Influence & Free Time https://www.visibly-different.co.uk/increasing-your-impact/

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with someone who might benefit and don’t forget to leave a rating and review!

Previous Episode

Your Leadership Says More Than You Think - And It's Not Always Positive

In this episode, I sit down with Sarah Langslow, an executive coach and leadership expert, to dig deep into the impact we have as leaders—both the intentional and the unintentional. Sarah went from competing in the Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race to a stellar corporate career, and now she’s the author of Do Sweat the Small Stuff, a book that takes a close look at how our smallest actions as leaders can have the biggest impact. Join us as we uncover some eye-opening truths about the power of presence, intent, and those “micro-interactions” that often go unnoticed.

Key Takeaways Include:

Intent vs. Impact: Sarah reveals why our intentions, no matter how good, often go astray. How can we make sure the message we think we’re sending is what others actually receive?
Unintended Consequences of Being "Nice": What happens when kindness becomes a cover for discomfort? Sarah’s story of a moment gone wrong might make you rethink how you approach feedback.
Navigating Power Dynamics: Sarah shares how power subtly affects every interaction—and how even the smallest misstep can amplify in unexpected ways. Are you tuned in to how power affects your team?
Breaking Habitual Responses: What if your quick-fix solutions are doing more harm than good? Sarah offers a different way to engage that could change the way your team sees you.

Resources:

Explore Sarah’s website: sarahlangslow.com for her book Do Sweat the Small Stuff and access to additional resources.

Contact Me:

Book your free 30-minute Leading Smarter Discovery Call https://calendly.com/visiblydifferentcorine/1-2-hr-discoverycall
Download my Leader's Guide to Increasing Your Impact, Influence & Free Time https://www.visibly-different.co.uk/increasing-your-impact/

Got a question for me? I'm just a message away on LinkedIn.

Click here to get your free copy of my Leader's Guide to Increasing Your Impact, Influence & Free Time

And if you enjoyed the Podcast please share with someone who might benefit and leave a rating and review.If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with someone who might benefit and don’t forget to leave a rating and review!

Next Episode

What No One Tells You About Building Culture

In this episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Danny Wareham, an organisational psychologist, coach, and speaker with over 25 years of experience. We took a deep dive into organisational culture - what it is, what it isn’t, and the common missteps leaders make when trying to improve it. Danny has such a wealth of experience and shared incredible insights on how to align culture with strategy to get real results.

We covered answers to questions, like:

Why isn’t creating a “fun” workplace enough to drive success?
What’s the real purpose of organisational culture, and how can leaders use it as a tool?
When does communication actually undermine engagement?
Why do we still think pay is a motivator when all the evidence says otherwise?
How can leaders step back and focus on leading environments instead of people?

Find out more about Danny Wareham at dannywareham.co.uk or connect with him on LinkedIn

Enjoy!

Get your free copy of my Leader's Guide to Increasing Your Impact, Influence & Free Time at visibly-different.co.uk/increasing-your-impact

And if you enjoyed the Podcast please share with someone who might benefit and leave a rating and review.

Got a question for me? I'm just a message away on LinkedIn.