Leadership Myths Holding Business Leaders Back

Discussions about leadership are everywhere – it’s all over LinkedIn, on podcasts and there’s plenty of quotes about vision, inspiration and ‘leading from the front’. In other words, business owners are told to ‘be a better leader’ without ever being shown what it actually means. They chase personality traits, attend motivational seminars and try to copy famous leaders without ever mastering the basics.

As a result, a lot of people are trying to lead from shaky foundations. They’ve bought into leadership myths – well-meaning ideas which sound good on the surface but, in practice, lack substance and don’t deliver real results.

Brad Sugars, founder of ActionCOACH, has led the brand since coming up with the idea for the business in his bedroom in the mid-1990s. From those humble beginnings, Brad has grown ActionCOACH into the world’s number 1 business coaching franchise. Here, he breaks down the leadership myths which commonly trip up business owners – and shares what it takes to really lead effectively.

Myth 1: You Can Skip Management And Go Straight To Leadership

There’s this idea that management is somehow outdated – a real thing of the past. It’s seen as rigid, bureaucratic and uninspiring. In contrast, leadership gets all the attention. People want to be visionaries, motivators, change-makers. But here’s the problem – you can’t build great leadership without the basics in place.

I’ve walked into countless businesses with dozens of people holding managerial titles – but not a single one of them has been taught how to manage properly. Usually, they’d been sent on leadership courses, and these are useful – but leadership without management is like building a house without a foundation.

Management is about process, structure and consistency. It’s what helps people do their jobs well, stay on track and feel capable. Without it, teams are left guessing. With it, deadlines get met without drama and leaders can focus on growth, not firefighting. Leadership, on the other hand, brings the energy – a leader’s role is about direction, focus and passion. But it’s crucial to remember, if your team doesn’t know what’s expected of them or how they’re being measured, no amount of inspiration will keep things on track.

Myth 2: Leadership Is All About Personality

Many people fall into the trap of thinking you have to be naturally charismatic or loud to be a good leader. They imagine leadership as a kind of ‘presence’ – something you either have or you don’t.

In reality, leadership isn’t about being the most confident in the room – it is what you do and how you build. I break this down into three parts:

1. Framework – do you have the right building blocks in place? This means a clear mission, vision, culture and goals.

2. Skills – can you communicate clearly, make tough decisions, handle pressure and coach others effectively?

3. Personality – this shapes your leadership style, but it’s not the driver of your effectiveness.

When leaders bring together framework, skills and personality, they create a culture people buy into and teams which stay confident under pressure. You could read every leadership book out there, but if you’re unable to give feedback constructively, get your team aligned or make decisions when it matters, you won’t lead effectively – regardless of your personality.

Myth 3: Leadership Comes With The Title

It’s also easy to assume getting a promotion or stepping into a senior role automatically makes you a leader. But leadership doesn’t come with a job title – it comes with action. True leadership isn’t about power or status. It’s about responsibility. It’s how you turn up for your team, how you create clarity in the chaos and how you earn trust over time.

Leadership is earned by consistency – showing up, creating clarity and taking responsibility when things go wrong. The impact of this? A culture of trust – people who want to go the extra mile because they want to, not because they’re told to.

You don’t need a CEO badge to lead – and having one doesn’t automatically mean you’re leading your business well either. People follow clarity, consistency and courage – not job titles. Leadership is earned by what you do, not what your email signature says.

Myth 4: Leadership Is Something You Master Once, Then You’re Done

Next, we have the belief leadership is something you can complete – like passing a course or earning a certificate. But real leadership doesn’t come with a finish line – it’s not something you master once and never revisit.

Markets evolve. Teams grow and change. Technology reshapes how we communicate, plan and execute. What worked last year might already feel outdated – holding on to those old methods is a fast track to failure.

The best leaders don’t just accept change – they seek it out. They stay curious. They ask questions, welcome feedback and make space to reflect. They’re always sharpening their skills, exploring new tools and learning from successes – and, crucially, missteps.

Great leaders understand they’re leading people – not processes. And people are never static. Motivations shift, team dynamics change and what inspires one person might not connect with another, which is why effective leadership needs flexibility. It requires emotional intelligence, self-awareness and the willingness to try something new – even if it means admitting you don’t have all the answers.

This is why the best leaders keep adapting. They keep their teams motivated through change and build businesses where growth happens consistently without burning people out. Just remember, the moment you think you’ve got it nailed is usually the moment you start falling behind.

So, What Does Real Leadership Look Like?

Real leadership shows up in what you do every day – how you communicate, support your team and handle challenges. It’s critical to stay consistent and that is what builds trust and momentum.

It all starts with good management. Your team needs clear direction, solid systems and the right tools. From there, leadership adds the spark – confident decisions, clear communication, focus and the ability to bring people with you.

Your personality ties it all together, but it can’t carry the load on its own. Without the basics, even the most charismatic leaders struggle. The best leaders keep it simple – show up, keep learning and lead with intention.

And when they do, the payoff is clear: clarity, consistency, momentum and trust. Not just inspiration for a moment, but a business which works and a team committed to build it with you.