20 Things Leadership Simply Cannot Do

20 Things Leadership Simply Cannot Do

Leadership cannot and should not do everything.  In an effort to provide tools and resources for those in leadership positions, the following is a list of items that those on your team must do for themselves.  Feel free to post this somewhere in your office as a gentle reminder.

1. Leadership can cast vision and connect the dots but they cannot give you passion.
2. Leadership cannot make sure you take care of yourself physically and get proper rest.
3. Leadership can schedule a brainstorming session but they cannot make you creative.
4. Leadership can create healthy environments but they cannot give you a great attitude.
5. Leadership can institute Sensitivity Training but cannot make you get along with others.
6. Leadership can schedule time management courses but cannot make you get to work on time.
7. Leadership can sacrifice but they cannot make you go the extra mile.
8. Leadership can possess high intelligence but they cannot make you want to be a continual learner.
9. Leadership cannot control shifts in the market.
10. Leadership cannot control how much traffic you were in this morning.
11. Leadership can create opportunity but cannot complete assignments for you.
12. Leadership cannot loan you their character.  You either have it or you don’t.
13. Leadership cannot do your preparation.
14. Leadership cannot always give you a raise.  You must manage your resources well.
15. Leadership cannot control your energy level.
16. Leadership can provide you with an expense account but cannot control how your behavior on the road.
17. Leadership sometimes cannot control what you think about them.
18. Leadership can vote but cannot control changes in government regulations.
19. Leadership often are ambitious but cannot control your level of ambition.
20. Leadership cannot control if you are self-directed or not.

Leaders are human.  We have to be careful not to put unrealistic expectations on them.  There are simply things they cannot do.  It is important to know what responsibilities are ours to fulfill.
What are other things you have noticed leadership cannot do?