Myth: Leadership comes with having a certain title or position

I’d like to see this myth laid to rest once and for all.

Case in point, we’ve heard much about the amazing leadership of Capt Sully, the pilot of US Airways Flight 1549, and his heroic landing on the Hudson River. We haven’t heard as much about the leadership displayed by the passengers, crew, New York City’s first responders and everyone else involved in resolving the crisis without a fatality.
Leadership is about much more than having the title or organizational authority to influence others. If we’re really looking for lessons on how to lead in a crisis we can expand our view to the leadership examples set by the passengers, crew, and others. Without their leadership contributions the outcome on that day could have been devastatingly different.

• Capt. Sully went beyond his title. He lead with heart, clarity and commitment to resolve the situation the best he could with whatever resources he had available. There was no blame, justification or excuses just complete acceptance of what was happening and a move to clear-headed action.
• Despite the fear they felt, most everyone on board was able to keep their heads throughout the crisis. They created a setting of trust and mutual support in what could have been an environment of chaos and competition.
• They followed guidance when it was available and when it wasn’t they took clear and decisive action to figure out what to do and how to help others in the process.

As a manager or executive charged with guiding others through choppy economic waters, its important to get past the conditioned thinking of leadership from the top-down and instead learn how to draw out leadership at every level.