Leadership Myths Exposed!

In this episode of Game Changers for Government Contractors, host Michael LeJeune tackles common myths about leadership that often hold back aspiring leaders. From the belief that leaders are born, not made, to the misconception that leaders must have all the answers, Michael offers practical insights and personal experiences to debunk these myths. He emphasizes the importance of continuous growth, embracing vulnerability, and empowering your team rather than controlling them. Whether you're an introvert or an extrovert, this episode provides valuable advice on how to unlock your leadership potential and overcome self-doubt.

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Read Transcript Here:

Michael LeJeune (00:00) Welcome to another episode of Game Changers for Government Contractors. If you are new to the podcast, let me just give you a quick overview. We've been doing this podcast for about nine years, with over 300 episodes now, where we talk about all things government contracting. The focus is typically on sales, marketing, and teaming. We talk a little bit about business development, and we have experts on every other week. The alternating weeks feature me solo, covering a topic like we're doing today.

If you're not familiar with RSM Federal, our focus is helping our clients master the art and science of government sales. So if you are brand new to government contracting and you're listening to this and need help getting sales, you can contact us. If you've been in the business for 50 years and have plateaued, and you want to get over the hump, you can reach out to us as well. Enough about that—let me dive into today's topic. I want to talk about leadership myths.

The reason I want to talk about this is that regardless of where you are in the business, whether you're the owner or one of the salespeople, you likely have some leadership role. I’m going to direct most of my discussion today towards the owners and executives of the company because I think that's really the core audience and where we can make the biggest impact. But again, regardless of your role, I think you'll get a lot out of our discussion about leadership today.

A key reason I want to address these myths is that I often encounter people who have great leadership potential but doubt themselves. They believe that because they lack in certain areas, they can't overcome it. There’s a lot of doubt surrounding this, so I want to address these myths and show that wherever you fall on the spectrum, there is a way to overcome them.

So let's get started with the first myth: Leaders are born, not made. I think a lot of natural leaders are born leaders. They naturally take charge, whether it's on the playground, in the classroom, on the sports field, or in business. However, just because someone takes charge doesn't make them a great leader. It simply means they know how to take charge. I was one of those people who wasn’t a natural leader. I was the quiet guy in school and on the playground. I’ve shared this story before: I didn’t even eat lunch in school until my seventh or eighth grade because I was so shy.

Joining the Army helped me a lot because they teach you many leadership skills. Getting into business and being thrust into leadership roles also helped me grow. But my growth as a leader didn’t stop there. It continued through education, reading books, and investing in coaching. I’ve spent more money on coaching than you can imagine. I still have weaknesses as a leader, and I work constantly to overcome them because I strive to get better.

So, not all leaders are born. Many are made. If you find yourself suddenly thrust into a leadership role, know that you can develop these skills. There’s plenty of free content—videos on YouTube, leadership podcasts, and books—that can help you find your voice as a leader.

The next myth is: Leaders must have all the answers. I can tell you, I do not have all the answers. As a leader, you're not required to know everything. That’s why you have a team. Leaders should tap into their team's knowledge and involve them in finding solutions. It’s not about having all the answers but being willing to search for them through various resources, including your team, mentors, or even Google.

Another myth is: Leaders can’t show weakness. This one is completely false. There’s a scene in the movie Braveheart where the main character, William Wallace, gives an emotional speech after a personal tragedy. It’s a moment of vulnerability that rallies his people. I’m not saying you should constantly show weakness, but there are moments when showing your humanity can be very powerful. It’s okay to be vulnerable in certain situations, like when there’s a personal or team loss. It can rally your team around you.

Next is the popular saying: How you do one thing is how you do everything. I don’t agree with this. I think how you do one thing is how you do a lot of things, but it depends on your level of interest. You might cut corners on tasks you find insignificant, but that doesn’t mean you approach everything that way. It’s about prioritization, not a universal truth.

Another myth is: Leadership is about control. Leadership is not about control; it’s about empowering others. My personal vision is to inspire others to chase their dreams. The more you empower your team, the more successful you’ll be as a leader. It’s not about controlling others but enabling them to accomplish the mission.

The final myth I want to address is: Leaders need to be extroverts. Most people who meet me don’t realize I’m an introvert. I’m comfortable working alone, and I don’t need to be surrounded by people all the time. Whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert, you can be a great leader. Introverts often bring a thoughtful perspective to leadership that others might overlook.

I’m sharing these myths because I believe they hold back many potential leaders. Hopefully, you can walk away from this episode knowing that you can overcome these doubts. You don’t need to be born a leader, have all the answers, or be extroverted. Leadership is about growth and development.

If you don’t feel like you have anyone leading or mentoring you, reach out to us. Join one of our coaching communities, get involved with a mentorship program, or start listening to leadership-focused podcasts. You are one moment of inspiration away from becoming the leader you want to be. I believe in you.

We'll see you next time.