What is the role of a Leader?

People ask this question and come to many different conclusions - over 850 academic conclusions based on research.

However, many different sources come to a similar conclusion - Leaders are responsible for getting certain results.

When results are obtained, Leaders are hailed.

There is a danger in this belief though.

The danger is in the Leader believing that they ARE the reason for the results obtained.

The reality is that though a Leader only plays a role in success, they are not the reason for it.

The larger the success, the less that Leaders are the reason for success.

It is not the Leader that produces the results, it is the team(s) of people that actually obtain the results.

For the Leader to believe that they are the reason for the successes that occur in an organization is the height of ego.

It may be true that the Leader has influence that helps create success, and some Leaders do have a major influence in their organizations.

But there is a difference between having influence and actually "getting" the results.

Many Leaders sadly forget that their success is built on the hard work of others.

It's not completely their fault - it can be easy to forget when articles, news, board members, stockholders, customers, and more paint a picture of all the success that a Leader has had.

However, when you forget this reality, there is a breeding ground where problems can occur for Leaders.

Employees begin to feel resented.

All problems become, "your" fault.

This means "you" need to solve all the problems.

However, you don't know all the problems due to the "resentment".

This creates higher tensions between you and those on your team(s).

From a Psychophysiological standpoint, our HRV loses coherence and decreases, which increases stress for everyone.

Then, the environment becomes more toxic, leading to the loss of your best employees, and demands become made.

All these things, and more, because Leaders forget that they are only a piece in the puzzle of success.