Leadership Destroyers

I don't know too much about Naval Destroyers but I am assuming that the name says it pretty well.  I assume that when a US Naval Destroyer shows up pretty much everything that it wants to take out is flattened and all threats are eliminated.  It can wreak total destruction and demolition.

Leadership destroyers act in the same way, except on an personal and organizational level.  This post will examine several types of things that will destroy your leadership and with it the organization.  Do not be tempted to look at these elements as shortcomings or faults to overcome.  Face them head on for what they are... Destroyers.  They will kill your leadership position.  Organizations can be rebuilt and leadership opportunities can be re-born following one of these occurrences but it will take years.

Destroyer #1 - Lack of Competence.  This destroyer arrives when the leader cannot complete the task he has been assigned.  They lack the skills and abilities to lead their followers in the right direction.  A lack of competence will destroy any leader.  Be sure to take on leadership opportunities that you are equipped to handle.  That doesn't mean that you shouldn't look to stretch and grow, but if you cannot sing at all don't become the church worship leader.

Destroyer #2 - Lack of Integrity in Financial Matters.  This destroyer has brought down many great leaders.  You must hold yourself highly accountable and make sure that all financial dealings in your personal life and organizational life are above reproach.

Destroyer #3 - Lack of Morality in Sexual Matters.  You cannot and will not get away with this one for long.  If you are not faithful in your marriage or are engaging in pornography the end result will be shattered and broken lives of your family and your entire organization.  Don't be fooled, you will get caught and the result will be destruction.

Destroyer #4 - Lack of Trust.  Stephen M.R. Covey's incredible book "The Speed of Trust" deals entirely with this topic.  I would highly recommend it for any leader.  Some of the other destroyers are covered there as well.

Destroyer #5  - Lack of Vision.  If you cannot see where you are going, where your organization is heading and how to inspire the group to get there you cannot lead.  I remember a story I heard about a local civic leader during the French Revolution who said "There go my followers, I better catch up to them to see where they are going so I can lead them there."  Clearly he was not the leader.  If you are not casting a vision for your followers and motivating them to reach it, you are not leading.

Destroyer #6 - Lack of (or Disfunction) of Process - Leading is managing as well as it is Leading.  You must be able to manage your day to day business.  The processes you put in place cannot become burdensome or challenging.  You need your followers to be freed from red tape and out creating opportunities for your organization.  In a business setting the disfunction could look like a top salesman spending half his day jumping through hoops to submit time cards, reports or other menial tasks.  You need your top performers to be growing your organization and spreading its mission, not filling out paperwork.  Create processes that allow your vision to come to fruition through your best people.

Destroyer  #7 - Lack of Caring.  Do you care more about the mission or about the people?  Do you use people to build your mission or do you use your mission to build people?  If you care about your people (whether followers or those you serve) the mission will take care of itself with minimal effort.  If all you care about is the mission you will constantly be looking for new followers.