Chapter
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
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?