Sorry leaders.
Leaders lead, leaders inspire, leaders do an amazing number of things, but let’s be honest: they cannot do everything. In fact, if they try to do everything, they aren’t really leading. They’re just making every decision and delegating work.
Where’s the inspiration in that?
Being a powerfully effective leader is not about being the smartest person in the room. It’s about being strong enough, courageous enough and capable enough to draw out the brilliance of those you surround yourself with. There is a reason the rudder of a ship is in the rear. Leadership is less about being out front as some sort of figurehead, or being the genius with all the answers, which no one person can be. Your job is to harness the power of the brilliance of others–the only place your brilliance is necessary is in the vision–the “how” behind that vision is going to come from the experts you surround yourself with. Be crystal clear on the vision and the direction you are heading, and have the courage to let others be the expert on the details.
Put simply: Leaders let others shine.
