There is common mindset I have discovered amongst many small business owners.  I call it the “Accidental Leader Syndrome”.  It typically occurs when the owner started the business himself, has grown it to a good size, and now finds himself in a leadership role, but he doesn’t see himself as a leader.

His goal was never to be a leader.  His goal was to do a good job at the work he was skilled in.  But the business has grown and now he’s the leader.  He finds himself doing more leading than the work upon which he started the business.  And, he feels ill-equipped to lead.  He has “accidentally” become a leader.

The problem here is one of self-perception.  The leader does not see them self as a leader.  Therefore, they do not lead intentionally.

Have you ever asked someone if they were a “golfer”?  Oftentimes what I hear is, “Oh, I’m not really a golfer, but I do like to play golf.  I only shoot around 85.”

Or, how about a writer or an artist?  I have some friends who are very passionate and gifted writers and artists.  When they first started out they would not dream of calling themselves a “writer” or an “artist”.  They had a self-perception issue, and, therefore, a self-confidence issue.  I watched them as they matured in their craft, and in their self-perception.  Their ability and confidence grew significantly when they admitted to themselves and to the world, “I am a writer.” And “I am an artist.”

I met a leader recently who was in this exact place.  He leads a successful multi-million dollar company, but he doesn’t see himself as the leader.  He loves the work they do, and many days would rather be doing the work alongside his employees, but he must lead – something he oftentimes feels ill-equipped to do.

I have no doubt if you asked him, “Are you a leader?”, he would answer somewhat like my golfer friend, “Oh, I’m not really a leader, but I do have to lead my company.”

I have news for everyone who can empathize with the Accidental Leader – you are a leader!

The sooner you accept it, own it, and wear it, the sooner you will take your leadership to the next level and your organization with you.  You are a leader and the most valuable investment you can make in your company is in your leadership.  Get training, get coaching, join a leadership development organization like The Executive Committee Canada – do something to settle the issue that you are the leader and you need to lead intentionally, not accidentally.

Look behind you, if someone is following you, you are a leader.

If you help people to be better, you are a leader.

If you help people to dream more, do more, learn more or become more, you are a leader.

If others depend on you for something, you are a leader.

If you are a leader, then the greatest investment you can make in those you lead is in your own leadership, to ensure you are leading well.  And, keep in mind, you never arrive at “good leadership”, it’s an ongoing journey of personal growth.

The first step in becoming a wholehearted leader is to settle the issue that you are a leader.  Put aside the Accidental Leader, and become an Intentional Leader.  Wear your leadership well.

Marianne Williamson said something very profound about leadership that is often attributed to Nelson Mandela,

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure…We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?…Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you…We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Put aside the Accidental Leader, your playing small does not serve your organization – let your leadership light shine!