If you have to tell people you’re a good leader, you’re probably not.

Recently I heard someone bragging about his leadership skills and abilities. He was talking about how people have different interests and that our competencies are likely to increase in areas we enjoy. Then he said, “I enjoy leading people and I’m good at it.”

I wondered whom he was trying to convince.

Dictionary.com defines a leader as:

A person or thing that leads.

That’s simple enough, but it doesn’t really address the effectiveness issue of leadership.

Writing for Chief Learning Officer, Jacob Morgan observed:

A leader is someone who can see how things can be improved and who rallies people to move toward that better vision. Leaders can work toward making their vision a reality while putting people first. Just being able to motivate people isn’t enough—leaders need to be empathetic and connect with people to be successful.

To any definition of leadership, I would add:

If you have to tell people you’re a good leader, you’re probably not. The people around you see it, and God knows it.

“Do not keep talking so proudly
    or let your mouth speak such arrogance,
for the Lord is a God who knows,
    and by him deeds are weighed.
(1 Samuel 2:3, NIV)

The best way to tell people that you’re a good leader is to show them by demonstrating leadership skills. According to the job site Indeed, the top six leadership skills are:

  1. Decisiveness
  2. Integrity
  3. Relationship-building (or team-building)
  4. Problem-solving
  5. Dependability
  6. Ability to teach and mentor

What’s missing from that list? Empathy, compassion, and humility.

When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
    but with humility comes wisdom.
(Proverbs 11:2, NIV)

When we evaluate leaders, we may not consciously go through that type of checklist, but those are the characteristics we consider when we decide whom we will follow.

Author and leadership scholar James M. Kouzes said:

“In the end, leaders don’t decide who leads. Followers do.”

You can tell as many people as will listen that you’re a good leader, but if no one is following you …

 

Featured image credit: Photo by Carol M. Highsmith | Library of Congress

Jacquelyn Lynn
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