As a boss, you have probably heard a common myth or two about what it takes to be a good leader. While some are harmless - even helpful - there are plenty of leadership fallacies that the general population may believe to be true. These myths could cause discord among your team or even make you doubt your own abilities.

Being a quality leader is about becoming the best version of yourself, not filling a universal mold. While there are exceptions for certain industries, if you want to become a strong leader in your office, don't let any of these myths fool you:

You don't have to be incredibly outgoing
Being a good leader does not mean you have to be particularly extroverted or outgoing. Though you do need to be a strong communicator, that doesn't mean you have to be the life of the party or the one to make charismatic, astounding speeches. Sometimes, a quiet leader is a strong leader. It demonstrates maturity and reverence for the job at hand. Don't be ashamed if you struggle in large groups of people and use your shyness to your advantage.

Within this category, good leaders don't have to hide their emotions either. Some of the most passionate leaders draw in wide levels of support because they make their team believe in their cause, not just follow orders. While logic is important for understanding the essence of what, when, and where to do a job, emotion lets people know why they should be doing a particular task. While leaders should not fall into a fit of rage or crumble at the drop of a hat, they also shouldn't be afraid to show their staff what they truly care about.

You don't have to be unanimously liked
While most seek to contradict Niccolo Machiavelli's famous sentiment that "it is better to be feared than loved," being loved may not be the only goal for a leader. Though most would agree that leaders should not strive to only be feared, not trying to be unanimously liked may be less commonly acknowledged. As a leader, you are not required to be your employees' friend, but to be someone whose judgment they trust or even just grudgingly accept. 

At times, leaders must make hard, unpopular decisions, which can cause lower morale or inspire resentment in some of your team. Leaders who are solely focused on making sure their employees are happy will never be satisfied, as keeping the peace will not always be an option. The sign of a good leader is one who warrants respect from their team, even affection, but is still not afraid to be professional and make difficult decisions when they arise.

You don't have to have the "right" genes to be a good leader
Are leaders born or made? The answer to this question depends on the individual. Though someone may be a "born" leader, if they are not willing to put in the hard work to get the job done, they may fail to meet expectations. Meanwhile, though someone may be a "made" leader through hard work, if they lack the ability to effectively communicate or are unpleasant to deal with, they may rub clients and employees the wrong way.

You don't have to have all the answers
Essentially, through you are the leader, that doesn't mean that you will always know what is the best course of action or have all the answers. Quality leaders encourage input from their team, not exclude them from contributing. Good leaders surround themselves with people who may know more about certain aspects of the industry they than do.

At ProSolutions Training, we offer plenty of online CDA courses for interested professionals. Contact us today to learn more!