What Makes and Keeps Leaders Mediocre?

What makes and keeps leaders mediocre?

You know the mediocre that keeps leaders on the bench or not called upon to take on the new initiative? The general bland perception that causes other leaders to call a person ‘average?'

After years of building organizations and growing leaders I have found that leaders are mediocre when they overprotect what they are afraid of losing. Said another way, when a leader is consumed with self-preserving what they are afraid of losing they choose to be mediocre in what they do.

Think about self-preservation for a moment. It is a natural in and of itself. Our instincts are to protect the things we own or desire. Each of us protects what is dear to us. That is the problem with mediocre leaders. When I am too dear to myself then I will become mediocre. The same is true with you. It leads to over-protection.

When you relentlessly hang on to what you've got, you'll never have a hand free enough to help others thrive. This self-preservation creates a wall between you and significant influence on others. Thus, people see these self-absorbed leaders as closed off or ‘holding things close to the vest.'

Now that I have explained others, let me bring it closer to home. We all have it! We are all guilty of having self-preservation. Some, however, have allowed it to absorb them. Here are some possible areas where we might try to over-protect:

• Authority
• Salary
• Benefits
• Status
• Perks
• "Cool" Reputation

Here is how you know what your self-preservation is - What are you afraid of losing? What are scared to give up?

That is where it starts. You can follow the trail of poor performance or average leadership based on what someone is afraid of losing. What is crazy is that self-preservation is a self-fulfilling prophecy. When someone overprotects because of fear, they are one step closer to losing what it is they are afraid of losing. Here is why.

1. When a leader becomes more focused on themselves, it leads to people sniffing the odor of selfishness in the leader and staying away from them.
2. When a leader overprotects they become defensive, which leads to limiting or diluting their influence as once again, few want to be close to this type of person.
3. When a leader self-preserves their performance deteriorates because their time, energy and focus is primarily aimed at protecting what they are afraid of losing.

An example would be the pastor who was so afraid of losing his authority within his elder board that he actually told them how much influence he has with a new member. This self-preservation is a form of coercion to protect the power of the role of that pastor. What he fears losing in his authority increases because his actions are obvious and not appreciated from the others.

If you want to change the world then self-preservation cannot become a lifestyle. Instead you must address it face on and breakthrough the walls of self-preservation in your life and in your leadership. Once you do you, you will be in a place to help others do the same and hopefully mitigate the wasted time and effort of mediocrity in your leadership teams.

 

2 Comments »

1. I am greatly enjoying Jeremie’s book (Leadership Is Dead) that this article is but a taste.  I have found myself highlighting and noting all over it for the very reason he states here - self-preservation.  How often as a leader have I failed because I failed to lead myself in the ways of God and surrender to the greater good.  I see it in so many other leaders…I need to sniff it out in myself.

   Comment by Todd Headen - May 19, 2011 @ 07:47 AM

2. Great post Jeremy. And now j want to get your book!

   I think self-preservation kills leaders because they focus on what they have to lose rather than what God can bring to them that’s new. It’s a tragedy derived from a lack of faith, in my opinion.

   Comment by Justin - May 21, 2011 @ 10:25 AM

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