The Myth of the Super Hero Leader

Newsflash — superhero sighting in the CEO office. Sure, she is plainly dressed, an avid jogger, a great mom, and total bookworm…but she's a superhero…How do we know? Well, we know because she's the CEO and everyone knows that the CEO has ALL of the answers & knows every aspect of the business, industry, organization. Basically, is she’s not a superhero, she’s super human.

Nope. Wrong. Couldn’t be further from the truth. Sure, the CEO may have amazing skills, extensive knowledge & insight, but there are a few things you should know:

• she/he probably landed in their leadership position by accident
• she/he is probably making a lot up along the way
• she/he does NOT have all the answers (and nor should they be expected to)
• she/he could very well be feeling like an imposter
• she/he may not be nearly as confident as they appear to be

“Whoa Shawn wait a minute here…She’s the leader. The CEO. The head honcho…and she/he MUST know everything.”

Sorry to burst your bubble, but the majority of the time this is absolutely the case.

The “ideal” of leadership is something we learn when we’re very young, i.e. the person at the top is perfect and knows everything. I recall thinking this way about my principal in grade school, the coach of my hockey team, and other leaders in and around the community. I am also of the age that assumed the role of every leader was to tell (or “instruct”) everyone else what to do…and how.

This notion of leadership had stuck with me for years and thankfully — in my years as a leader — I soon realized this couldn't be further from the truth. There is a lot of guesswork and instinct going on in leadership. There’s a TON of building the plane while we’re flying it. Anyone who thinks any differently needs to re-set their perspective on leaders.

Leaders are people.

They are NOT infallible.

They are NOT all knowing.

They are NOT all powerful.

Bust down the ideal…embrace the fallibility and humanity of leaders; show empathy and understanding by realizing their PATH to leadership very likely happened by accident…because you may be there one day as well. Accidentally.

Trust me…it absolutely happens.