The Problem with Our Obsession with Leadership

I’ve gone down the leadership rabbit hole. I’ve had the kool-aid. I’ve taken the tests, courses, attended the seminars. I’ve learned a lot. I’ve tried all the things, had all the coaches, and even became a certified coach.

The relentless emphasis on leadership has reached a point where it permeates every corner of the workplace. We’ve all found ourselves entangled in the web of leadership allure, whether it’s succumbing to the temptation of endlessly consuming leadership theories, drowning in a sea of leadership books and articles, or enduring the enthusiastic zeal of a boss determined to mold us into the epitome of a great leader.

Consider the ubiquitous nature of leadership seminars and workshops that promise the keys to unlocking our leadership potential. In pursuit of self-improvement, we attend these sessions hoping to glean insights that will propel us to new heights in our careers. Simultaneously, managers, often with the best intentions, inundate their teams with the latest leadership literature, urging them to embrace newfound strategies for success.

Picture this scenario: you find yourself engrossed in a leadership podcast during your morning commute, absorbing every nugget of wisdom that promises to transform you into a more effective leader. Meanwhile, your manager, fueled by a recent leadership…