Leaders, do you lead from a place of fear or a place of security? In my experience, leaders typically tend to lead from one or the other. The leader dominated by fear is afraid of failing, fears that people are out for his or her position, or struggles to delegate and trust others (including God). The leader dominated by a sense of security trusts his or her abilities, is confident in his or her position and has faith in other people (including God).

The result of the difference is significant:

Leading from a position of fear produces:

Holding onto information

Controlling people on team

Failure to take risks

Shying away from change

Stifling leadership development

Suspicion within the organization

Unhealthy competition among team members

Avoidance of accountability

Leading from a secure position produces:

Authentic, transparent and open leadership

Empowering and releasing team

Risk-taking

An environment that is change friendly

Cultivation of new leadership

Credibility

Healthy community among team members

Welcoming accountability

Leaders need to consider whether they tend to lead from a position of fear or a position of security. If he or she really wants to know, they should ask those close to him or her or people on the team for feedback. If fear is the dominant motivator of a leader’s leadership, he or she should deal with his or her personal insecurities before passing them onto the organization.

I have a suspicion the secure leaders will ask….and the one dominated by fear will not.

What do you think? Have you experienced this difference among leaders?

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1. Leaders Lead…Even Without a Position of Leadership
2. 5 Examples of Leading Outside the Norm
3. Successfully Leading Change
4. Leading One Who Wants to be Led vs. One Who Wants to be a Leader
5. 7 Times it is Important to MicroManage