We Promote People For The Wrong Reasons

We promote people for the wrong reasons.

We reward confidence that turns out to be insecurity in disguise. We mistake guardedness for wisdom. We confuse political savvy with leadership ability. And then we're surprised when people reach the top and lead from a place of fear rather than strength.

Here's what I'd say to anyone who has climbed to a position of real influence and is still operating from a posture of insecurity, passive aggression, or paranoia:

You made it. You don't have to fight like you're still trying to survive anymore.

The defensiveness that maybe got you through the door doesn't serve you — or the people counting on you — once you're in the room.

The best leaders I've ever seen aren't the ones who protected their seat at the table. They're the ones who pulled up more chairs.

Maybe it's time we started promoting for that.