Cover

Contents

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Part one We know what leadership is

Myth 1 We know what leadership is

Myth 2 The perfect leader

Myth 3 Leadership is about your rank, title or position

Myth 4 Managers are leaders

Myth 5 Leaders know what leadership is

Myth 6 The founder is the leader

Myth 7 Leadership is universal

Part two We know what leaders do

Myth 8 We know what leaders do (1): top-level leaders

Myth 9 We know what leaders do (2): your leadership journey

Myth 10 Leaders motivate their followers

Myth 11 Leaders communicate well

Myth 12 Leaders are decisive

Myth 13 Leaders set goals and give directions

Myth 14 Great leaders build great teams

Myth 15 The leader knows what is going on

Part three We know what leaders are like: character and traits

Myth 16 Leaders are born, not bred

Myth 17 Leaders are visionary

Myth 18 Leaders are charismatic and inspirational

Myth 19 Leaders are honest

Myth 20 Leaders are brave

Myth 21 The leader is the smartest person in the room

Myth 22 The best leaders are clever

Myth 23 Male and female leaders are different

Myth 24 Psychopaths succeed as leaders

Myth 25 Leaders are reasonable

Myth 26 An effective leader is a skilled leader

Part four We know how leaders succeed

Myth 27 Leaders succeed on merit

Myth 28 Leadership is about survival of the fittest

Myth 29 It’s not what you know, it’s who you know

Myth 30 Power comes from your position

Myth 31 Leaders need experience

Myth 32 The first 90 days

Myth 33 You have to manage before you can lead

Myth 34 Sporting heroes show us how to lead

Myth 35 You can teach leadership

Myth 36 Leaders know when to move on

Part five We have a theory about leadership

Myth 37 Great Man theory of leadership

Myth 38 Servant leadership

Myth 39 The humble leader

Myth 40 Distributed leadership

Myth 41 Transactional and transformational leadership

Myth 42 Authentic leadership

Myth 43 Leadership is a team sport

Myth 44 Leadership and money: the dog that didn’t bark

Myth 45 Leaders are like tea bags

Part six We have beliefs about leadership

Myth 46 It’s lonely at the top

Myth 47 The buck stops here

Myth 48 It’s tough at the top

Myth 49 The leader makes a difference

Myth 50 The leader is in control

Myth 51 Leaders are role models

Myth 52 Leaders are popular

Myth 53 Leaders deserve exceptional rewards

Part seven Conclusions

Myth 54 Myths, fads and theories

Myth 55 Leaders take people where they would not have got by themselves

Myth 56 I have the answer: myth or reality?

Index