3 Overrated Leadership Qualities That Aren't Worth Cultivating

Whatever field you work in, it’s common to have role models you wish to emulate. As you seek to rise to the top, it makes sense to look to the icons of the business world and see what you can take from their experience and reputation. If you can learn from them, maybe you can be as successful as them, or so the wisdom goes. 

But it is worth pausing for a moment to think: Is there really that much to be gained from emulating the supposed best in the business? Unless you’re working directly under them, you aren’t ever getting the full story - and what you’re left with are broad images of what they’re like.

In This Article:

3 Leadership Qualities That Aren’t Always What They Seem

Increasingly, the impression given about the most successful employers is based on certain qualities that they are deemed to possess. And those qualities may work for them, or at least not stop them from being successful. 

But if you focus on adopting those qualities, you may find that you’re losing sight of what’s really important - and this isn’t cliched inspiration-speak. If you read on, you’ll see why many of those valued qualities are overrated.

Being a charismatic boss

The bosses who dominate the public eye tend to be characterized as “larger than life.” They project an aura of success to such a degree that it seems obvious they were always going to be successful. A little charisma never hurt anyone, certainly - but if that seems to be the outstanding quality a boss has, there is often reason to question what it’s covering up. 

A winning smile or a cute turn of phrase doesn’t balance a budget, and charisma can be turned off and on. It’s much better to be natural and seek to deliver for employees and clients - if you perform in the business world, outsiders may remark on your charisma, but those who work with you will value your honesty more.

Holding a firm line

We have all heard it often enough: “[Boss] holds a firm line; he’s not always well-liked, but he gets results.” Being a stern taskmaster is one way of getting results, but it needs to be backed with unerring instincts and smart delegation. 

For example, you can demand that employees are always in the office, but if you don’t make that office a place where people are comfortable coming to work, they’ll be consulting Checkr's report on best hybrid working cities and planning their escape before too long. You can’t just walk into an office and say, “we’re going to do things my way” - you need to show your way works and then carry people with you.

Consistently calm crisis management

Have you ever heard a business manager being described as “always calm in a crisis?” Take a pause to snip the word “calm” out of that sentence, and that’s what you’re left with. While it’s admirable to handle a crisis, one thing is far better–not always being in a crisis! 

Some of the best business managers out there aren’t the ones everyone knows because if a business is doing well, it will bubble along nicely and rarely need to test its ability to navigate a crisis. If someone has a lot of experience in crisis management, it might be best not to model your style on them and to focus instead on spotting potential crises and sidestepping them.

Want more business tips? Subscribe to our newsletter for bi-weekly insights on entrepreneurship, business, and the world of content.

Related Articles: