Why People Are Reluctant to Lead

User photo not available By Susan Battley in Leadership
Published: Wednesday, 23 September 09 - 08:00 AM (GMT -05:00)
Last Updated: Thursday, 24 September 09 - 06:40 PM (GMT -05:00)

With all the emphasis on leaders and leadership development, it's easy to overlook the fact that some gifted and capable professionals are reluctant to assume leadership positions.

Why is this?

I've been in two situations recently where this phenomenon - reluctance to move up the ladder - has come up.  One of these was a talent review session.

In my experience, three fears can hold people back:

  • Fear of Responsibility - People shy away from being evaluated on anything other than their own work and effort.  Running a project or managing a team can feel like losing control of the outcome.
  • Fear of Unpopularity - Some fear losing their friends or popularity among co-workers if they move from peer to supervisor.
  • Fear of Failure - Those who are risk-averse by nature or perfectionists who worry about public criticism may avoid high-visibility roles.
Often, more than one of these fears operates in tandem.

So the next time, you see someone under-achieving relative to their potential, consider if fear may be holding them back.  Often, bringing the subject out into the open in a supportive, non-threatening way can help the person realize that their concerns are overinflated or groundless.  Or you can help them identify what skills or experiences would help them become more confident and ready to move up.
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