Why Some Leaders Resist Growing Other Leaders
“The best leaders are also the best followers. They follow a purpose, cause, or belief bigger than themselves.” ~Simon Sinek
A few years ago, I was sitting with a group of employees focused on hiring a new grounds employee when one of the supervisors said, “I don’t need to hire any leaders, I need followers.” Why did this leader say that? Can we get them to see the value in hiring and developing people who have great leadership potential?
No one graduates from Leadership Development because each day, week, month, and year brings changes and challenges requiring an adaptive mindset that allows for personal change. Even the best of leaders periodically fall victim to a fear of competition, an overdeveloped need for control, personal insecurities, and discomfort with change. An organization is best served when leadership development is viewed as ongoing.
Some leaders have a fear of competition. Some leaders think by developing other leaders within their organization, they could be grooming potential competitors who might eventually surpass them in skill or influence.
Some leaders have control Issues. Leaders who prefer to maintain tight control over their organization may see the development of other leaders as a threat to their authority and decision-making power.
Some leaders may feel insecure about their own leadership abilities or fear being overshadowed by more capable subordinates, leading them to resist efforts to cultivate leadership talent within their teams.
In organizations with rigid hierarchies, leaders may view the development of other leaders as disruptive to the established power structure and may resist initiatives that promote leadership growth at lower levels.
“Leadership is not about titles, positions, or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another.” ~John C. Maxwell
Addressing these underlying concerns and shifting the organizational culture towards one that values and actively promotes leadership development can help overcome these barriers and create a more sustainable and resilient organization in the long run.
“A good leader leads the people from above them. A great leader leads the people from within them.” ~ M. D. Arnold
Keep cultivating GREAT leaders.
Jeff
