Leadership Cannot Be Imposed

All too often, the word "leader" is used to describe a mere manager. That's not a leader in any real sense. You cannot be anointed as a "leader" by upper management. Leadership cannot be imposed. A person in that position claiming they're a leader is puffery—a source of (often quiet because they're in a position of power) ridicule.

Leaders don't call themselves "leaders." They lead simply by being themselves.

Leadership is a personality trait. You cannot train a person to be a leader. The notion of a "leadership seminar" is a snake-oil rebranding of management training.

Teams confer leadership. It emerges when someone behaves in an inspiring way. A true leader does not have "followers" in the conventional sense. Mindlessly obeying or mimicking someone is cult behavior. Being forced to follow or obey is bullying, not leadership.

Leaders set examples, not impose ways of working. They make sacrifices, not require them. They inspire, not demand. They don't require respect; they're respected. Force and leadership cannot coexist. A power dynamic is a bully's tool, not a leader's.

So, I find that whole "leadership" framing to be disengenuous at best. I wish we'd drop it altogether.