Even today, there are many people who assume that leadership is tied to a formal position or title. However, leadership is about action and influence, more than rank. Not all people with a title are good leaders. Why does this myth persist and how can you create a workplace culture that recognizes the value of leadership in any role?

Historical Influences, Hierarchies and Workplace Culture Reinforce this Myth

Workplace culture and hierarchical organizational structures play a role in defining leadership and how it is perceived. With a hierarchical structure and organization chart, with clear lines of authority and control, leadership roles are generally depicted at the top of the hierarchy. Leadership is visually represented as a positional concept. Leaders in these roles have formal authority over their subordinates, further emphasizing the association between leadership and position. In the corporate world, leadership positions like CEO, president, and director are prominently displayed, contributing to the perception that leadership is synonymous with these titles.

Throughout history, traditional views of authority have reinforced the idea that leadership is a position. A few examples include Monarchical and Aristocratic Systems, Heroic Leadership Models, Authoritative Leadership Models, and Great Man Theory.

In Monarchical and Aristocratic Systems, leadership positions were inherited, with kings, queens, and nobility born into roles of authority, creating the impression that leadership was an innate quality tied to birthright.

Heroic Leadership Models draw from a mythology that highlights “great men” who seemed to possess natural leadership abilities. Figures like Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, and other historical leaders are frequently portrayed as possessing inherent, almost mythical, qualities that set them apart from others.

Authoritative figures have often been seen as leaders who direct and make decisions for others. Early industrial models of management were modeled after military systems and structures, emphasizing a command-and-control approach, where leaders were expected to give orders and enforce compliance.

There are theories, like the Great Man Theory, that suggest effective leaders possess inherent traits that are universally applicable across situations. This theory implies that there is one ideal leadership style based on these traits, one of which is charisma. Many famous historical leaders, such as Martin Luther King Jr., Winston Churchill, and John F. Kennedy, were highly charismatic. Their ability to inspire and mobilize people through their charisma has created a lasting impression that all effective leadership requires such traits and is connected to a role.

Leadership in Any Role

The reality is that individuals at any level of an organization or in any role can exhibit leadership qualities and make a significant impact on an organization’s ability to achieve its goals and provide motivation to others. This is where the ability to appropriately engage people and an investment in learning and development pays off, characteristics of a healthy and productive workplace culture.

Organizations that want to stand out and succeed place emphasis on developing a broad range of leadership skills throughout the organization. People are invited to identify and step into their own leadership abilities. Offering a broad range of training programs, like the Art of Hosting, the Art of Participatory Leadership, Worldview Intelligence and others that help individuals recognize and leverage their unique strengths as leaders creates a pipeline for current and future leaders.

Creating a workplace culture where team members are encouraged to share their ideas and expertise supports the idea that leadership is expressed in many ways and will encourage people to step forward in leadership roles. Sustaining a culture that values and supports diverse leadership styles, recognizes that different situations and teams benefit from different types of leaders, as does decision-making. People are drawn to work in organizations and teams with this kind of culture, where they know they will thrive.