Spot Insecurity in any Leader

“A lot of things can happen when you have an insecure leader.  None of it very good.”

 

If a leader is wracked with insecurity, it won’t simply render them ineffective. It will actually undermine everything they have been attempting to build.

 

But this raises an important question; “Is there an objective way to tell if you really are a secure leader?”

 

While there may be no scientifically verifiable way to know for sure, the following self-evaluation questions can give you a pretty good idea.

 

  1. If a contribution I made to a project is not publicly acknowledged, do I feel wronged?

 

  1. Do I feel a hint of jealousy when the accomplishment of a colleague is being celebrated?

 

  1. If I hear about a meeting that I was not invited to, do I feel concerned about being excluded?

 

  1. Am I uncomfortable letting someone else lead a meeting when I am technically in charge?

 

  1. Do I need to be “cc’d” on every email that flows through my department?

 

  1. Am I easily upset if someone points out ways in which my work could improve?

 

  1. Do I place my own survival ahead of the team’s mission?

 

  1. Do I get nervous if I am not hearing people say good things about me?

 

  1. Is it important that people consider me to be more successful than my predecessor?

 

  1. Do I feel in any way threatened when I see a younger leader rising through the ranks?

 

If you said “Yes” to several of these questions, you might have a concerning level of insecurity in your leadership.

 

And while there’s no magic wand you can wave to eradicate insecurity, the first step to overcoming these tendencies is through ruthless self-awareness.  Keep a list like this handy, review it often, and use it to measure your growth as a secure leader.

 

Because it’s true; a lot of things can happen when you have an insecure leader.

 

None of it very good.

 

 

I Power Seeds

Here are our takeaways and thoughts - pause and reflect, then nourish and grow!

Being secure is important for a leader.  You don’t have to be the subject matter expert to have confidence.

Enjoy.

Leave a Comment

Popular Posts

Building Inclusive Leadership

Building Inclusive Leadership for a Thriving Future   Addressing gender disparities in leadership is about creating opportunities for everyone to succeed by fostering inclusivity, fairness, and support at all levels.

leadership-lighthouse-bulb

Leadership Thought

This thought was passed along to me to think and consider my efforts with those who resist change or something that I firmly believe in – continual service improvement.  

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Treat A Man As He Could Be

“Treat a man as he is, and he will remain as he is. Treat a man as he could be, and he will become what he should be.” Ralph Waldo

Management Is About Getting Things Done

Management is the art of getting things done through people.Mary Parker Follett   In simple terms, management is about getting things done through other people. Of course we know being

cultivating-culture

How You Made Them Feel

Why did I begin this journey? The main thought I had while completing my ITIL Practitioner Certification, there were so many frameworks, management, and leadership topics and thoughts and I