Did You Get The Memo?

Wednesday, 17. June 2009 by Ronald T. Brown, Ph.D.

We all harbor some inner level of insecurity - even though many people go to great lengths to hide this fact. But our insecurities are not something we can ignore, for too much insecurity can eventually cripple one’s ability to lead.

** Pastor Johnny Hunt outlines nine consequences of an insecure leader:

•  An insecure leader has a hard time giving credit to others. Their insecurity prevents them from allowing the release of praise in any direction - other than toward themselves.

•  An insecure leader keeps information from his/her staff. When you release information, you build trust and confidence in others. When you conceal it, you instill just the opposite: no trust and no confidence.

•  Insecure leaders do not want their staff exposed to other leaders - to leaders who may possess qualities and skills they do not personally have. Confident leaders give their people the best - no matter where it may be found.

•  An insecure leader is often a micromanager. They tend to be control freaks - where nothing can happen that they are not fully aware of. This kind of obsessive control will wring the creative ingenuity out of any team.

•  Insecure leaders have a high need for praise. This reason, perhaps more than any other, prevents one from leading effectively. When someone needs their followers to always be telling them how wonderful they are, it undermines the heartbeat of leadership, which is: building into the lives and careers of others.

•  Insecure leaders do not provide security for those they lead. “If the mood and environment in the office is one of fear, second-guessing, and self-doubt, you can be sure an insecure leader is in charge.”

•  Insecure leaders take more than they give. Instead of validating and encouraging others, they are focused on receiving it.

•  Insecure leaders limit the best in their subordinates. Insecure leaders cannot genuinely motivate the development and emerging of high level skills in others.

•  Insecure leaders limit the potential of their organization. “Not only does insecurity throttle down the horsepower of individual team members; it results in putting restraints on the entire church or organization.”