![\"reluctant](\"https:\/\/www.stacyblackman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/reluctant-leader-734x734.png\")
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Are you a natural-born leader? In truth, most of us don\u2019t see ourselves that way. But leadership is not solely about job title or position\u2014it’s about the actions you take. We often feel reluctant to lead, even though others believe we would be perfect in such a role. What\u2019s behind the hesitancy? A group of b-school researchers has identified three common hang-ups<\/span><\/a> that prevent reluctant leaders from pursuing management positions. Find out why we do it, and then use these tips to neutralize your concerns.<\/span><\/p>\n After surveying more than 100 professionals and 400 MBA students for this project, the researchers landed on one overarching explanation for a reluctance to lead. Namely, people feared stepping up would damage their interpersonal relationships.<\/p>\n \u201cSometimes you don\u2019t want to risk that friendship and hurt other people\u2019s feelings,\u201d said one respondent. Another worried that people could \u201cstart to dislike you and talk about you behind your back.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n We all want people to like us. But we can\u2019t let what others think shape our goals in life. Conflicts will arise. The trick is to make sure disagreements stay focused on the work at hand\u2014not the personalities involved.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen people see conflict as a search for the best idea rather than a fight between people, they are less likely to shy away from leading those people,\u201d the researchers explain.<\/span><\/p>\n Many of us have had the unfortunate experience of working for a\u00a0jerky boss<\/span><\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0<\/span>know-it-all<\/span><\/a>\u00a0supervisor. We certainly don\u2019t want anyone to think of us as that<\/em> guy or gal. <\/span>Organizations and employees always say they admire leadership. Even so, \u201cPeople worry that actually engaging in leadership acts might make them look bad in the eyes of their peers,\u201d the researchers found.<\/span><\/p>\n But it doesn\u2019t have to be that way. Reluctant leaders can adopt the strategy of\u00a0<\/span>leading with kindness<\/span><\/a>. New research suggests the better way to influence and lead others is through warmth, explains social psychologist Amy Cuddy, a lecturer at Harvard Business School, who considers kindness the key to\u00a0<\/span>successful leadership<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Many people voiced fears of becoming the scapegoat if their group messed up. \u201cThey worried that they would be blamed for the collective failure, and that that could cost them a coveted promotion or future leadership opportunities,\u201d the researchers learned.<\/p>\n Reluctant leaders can find low-stakes ways to try out leadership, such as tackling a routine project with less visibility. This also enables people to explore different styles of leading, the researchers say.<\/p>\n They can reflect on what works for them and see how others react to their leadership efforts. Then, they can make adjustments without worrying that their career is on the line, they note.<\/span><\/p>\n As we’ve reported here before, Ellen Taaffe of the Kellogg School of Management believes you can overcome self-doubts<\/span><\/a> by seeing how other people at your company have accepted a stretch assignment and succeeded. Sure, there is the potential to fail. But she thinks it\u2019s more likely you\u2019ll see a positive impact on your career advancement by taking that risk.<\/span><\/p>\n Ultimately, anyone who’s reluctant to lead can find the motivation to step forward by focusing on a purpose larger than themselves. Thinking about the collective interest\u2014their organization, team, or company mission\u2014rather than their self-interest can make it easier to accept a leadership challenge. In the end, that mindset shift can help make you a passionate and highly effective leader.<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n Huzzah! You made it to the end of the post! This tip sheet for reluctant leaders <\/em>originally appeared on\u00a0the Blacklight<\/a>, our weekly newsletter for professionals. At\u00a0<\/em>the Blacklight, we\u00a0aim to illuminate<\/a>\u00a0with every dispatch that lands in your inbox.\u00a0<\/em>If you\u2019re thirsty for guidance to help you slay it at work or as a student and move your goalposts closer,\u00a0sign up<\/a>\u00a0today!<\/em><\/p>\n <\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n The post Reluctant Leaders Need to Hear This Advice<\/a> appeared first on Stacy Blackman Consulting - MBA Admissions Consulting<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cFRESH IDEAS FROM THE BLACKLIGHT\u201d SBC\u2019s Weekly Newsletter for Professionals Are you a natural-born leader? In truth, most of us don\u2019t see ourselves that way. But leadership is not solely…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":122,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"1","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,749,775,243],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-52571","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-mba","category-stacy-blackman","category-admission-consultants","category-blog","entry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\t\t\nReason #1: You’re afraid people won\u2019t like you. <\/strong><\/h4>\n
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![\"reluctant](\"https:\/\/www.stacyblackman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/docusign-ujkG7mTs7IM-unsplash-734x489.jpg\")
<\/p>\nReason #2: You don\u2019t want to seem aggressive or like a know-it-all. <\/strong><\/h4>\n
Reason #3: You\u2019re afraid of getting blamed if things go wrong. <\/strong><\/h4>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.stacyblackman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/blame-pexels-photo-1608113-1024x683-1-734x490.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nPro Tip for Reluctant Leaders<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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