There are many reasons that leaders fail; however I thought I would condense the list to 4 memorable reasons in the acronym FAIL. Here are the 4 Reasons Leaders FAIL:
- Fake- A leader who try’s to be someone they are not instead of simply being themselves has a difficult time succeeding, at some point it just catches up to them. This also applies to the leader that has a different face, different persona, different tone, different everything… when certain people are around. In other-words when the big boss comes around they put their fake-face on. Not to say a leader might not make some adjustments when company comes around; however the super-fake-face comes from insecurity of how they act normally. Remember: Don’t be fake, be yourself… “Do You! It’s A Statement… Not A Question!” Fake Leaders Fail!
- Attitude- One of the primary reasons that a leader fails is because of a poor, negative or a no-can-do attitude. If a leader thinks he can fly and has a positive can-do attitude; even though they may not be able to fly they will come darn close. The reason why attitude is important is because that leader’s attitude will rub off on their team members and their followers. Remember: “Attitude reflects leadership, Captain.” ~Julius in Remember The Titans
- Integrity- If a leader doesn’t exhibit a high degree of integrity they will fail. The integrity issues will either catch up to them (what’s done in the dark, will come to light) or those that follow them won’t respect them. If team members or followers don’t respect the a leader, it puts the leader in the place of pushing a snowball up hill… it’s a difficult task. These integrity issues run the gamete: profanity, lying, cheating, stealing, affairs, flirting, yelling, substance abuse, pride-filled decisions etc. I have worked with many high capacity leaders in both the secular world and ministry that have failed because they allowed their integrity to get off track. Remember: Integrity is doing the right thing, even if nobody is watching.
- Lacking- Although I believe that everyone has potential for some degree of leadership in them; the bottom line is that some leaders fail because they are either: a.) Not the leader they think they are, or b.) Promoted above their leadership capacity/leadership role has outgrown them, or c.) Not a visionary, or d.) Not a leader at all! They are lacking what it takes! Remember: Just because someone has an office, role, title or responsibility doesn’t mean they are a leader. Leadership is an art, a skill, a craft, a gift… and it must be developed!
Share your thoughts on these 4 Reasons Leaders Fail and add any additional reasons to the list!
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14 Comments Received
June 8th, 2009 @8:12 am
Scott~
thanks for the wisdom and the FAIL it will be easy to remember! Have you written posts on “affirmation?”
Asking myself some tough questions this week about the “Why’s” of servanthood & the chase of affirmation. Just wnat to keep it balanced I have found so much hope, encourgement, & affirmation in the online community…. my family life is rough…and yet I know that I am called to be salt & light. Balance is the key.
thanks again
Shannon
June 8th, 2009 @8:14 am
Good stuff!
The last statement “Just because someone has an office, role, title or responsibility doesn’t mean they are a leader. Leadership is an art, a skill, a craft, a gift… and it must be developed!” is so right on! I hope I can better craft my skills to become the leader that God has called me to be.
June 8th, 2009 @8:21 am
interesting insight. though i would offer up an overarching theme among those of us who have fallen: it is, indeed, pride.
it seems as though this is the silver cord that slowly strangles all things.
at any rate, thanks for the reminder…
June 8th, 2009 @9:36 am
I love acrostics! I’m definetly adding this one to the library.
June 8th, 2009 @9:53 am
Shannon- I have written posts dealing w/ affirmation, I will look through my archives later and try to find one. Thanks for the thoughts.
Thanks for the comment!
Rebecca- God has definitely put a leadership calling on your life!
347- I agree… I added an additional thought because of your comment.
Kenyon- Did you say acrostics? hmm I learn something new every day!
June 8th, 2009 @11:50 am
Awesome list, pride, lack of self awareness is a big one too when we don’t know who we are or who God created us to be.
Submittion, leaders struggle with submitting to leaders above them and
That leads to an inevitable path of failure as well.
Good stuff.
June 8th, 2009 @12:54 pm
2 more reasons I’d suggest:
1. HUMAN. We are all simul iustus et peccator. None of us has what it takes to be rightous, no not one. Only by the grace of God have we held back on disqualifying actions, though we all struggle with attitudes and temptations, and have a safe place to confess, admit our weaknesses, and be restored before the inevitable.
2. Non-transparency. I’m of the opinion that high-capacity leaders tend to be task-oriented, and not as relationally-oriented. Task-orientation is what makes them that much more effective, but also is the achilles’ heel, bc there’s going to be the tendency of not spending enough time in close relationships with others — especially in transparent vulnerable friendships where they are fully known, aside from the spouse and family. If friends knew the struggles and temptations in the heart & soul of a leader, especially in this area of temptation, then a leader doesn’t have to bear it all by himself.
June 8th, 2009 @9:11 pm
That quote from Remember the Titans is one of my very favorite moments in the history of At the Movies messages at LC!
djchuang’s comments about the relational side and leaders being task-oriented is really interesting to me. I’m going to have to really think about all that that can say to me.
June 8th, 2009 @10:01 pm
Marc- I agree you can submit… submit doesnt mean bow down!
DJ- Managers manage tasks, things and stuff… leaders lead leaders through relationships; they go hand and hand!
Kendra- Great Quote!
June 9th, 2009 @3:03 am
These were sort of touched on already, but in plain language:
1) Leaders need to learn how to delegate effectively or they will fail.
2) Leaders need to understand it’s not all about them. They must give credit to their team/staff/employees and celebrate successes together.
3) Leaders must learn that if no one is following them, they really aren’t leading anyone.
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