[April 4, 2017] To be an effective leader you don’t have to be a star or have star-like qualities. Stardom and its associated publicity are for Hollywood and Entertainers. Real leaders, those that do a good job anyway, don’t need the celebrity spotlight to help them achieve their goals and, unsurprisingly, there is a downside risk to such stardom.
“Overnight stardom can be harmful to your mental health. Yeah. It has ruined a lot of people.” – Clint Eastwood, American actor and filmmaker
It seems to be a common human condition to seek publicity; to have people see you and be awed. It is not unlike the allure of being popular. Often we hear that some person, an unknown to anyone, had their “moment in the sun” or “five minutes of stardom” for something outrageous they may have done. We’ve all been witness to it and perhaps may have wished ourselves to have the cameras turn our way and shown us to the world.
Except that leadership does not require us to be a star. When I speak to young people about the requirements of leadership and the characteristics necessary to be one, I’m invariably asked questions about this issue. In one form or another they want to tie together public stardom with leadership. I’m no longer surprised by it and, in fact, expect it each time.
I explain to those who are in junior leadership positions – or desire to be – that the risk of publicity cuts two ways. On the one hand, it can make you well known and satisfy you at some deep level a human desire to be seen and heard by others. On the other, it both makes your decision-making more difficult and exposes your mistakes to everyone.
I’ve noted before in an earlier post that our looks do not determine the quality of our leadership skills; it’s not how you look that makes you an effective leader. There is no denying that one’s appearance has an effect on others (both positive and negative) but ultimately it’s how leaders carry out their duties that matters. Being handsome or beautiful (like a rock star) for any leader, does not make you better or gain more leadership skills.
Leaders must take the time to convince young people, in particular, of this; else young folk can become disillusioned or complacent in their dealings with others. We don’t need fame, time in front of a camera, radio time, or crowds chanting our name. Leaders and those that follow young leaders can help them reject wanting to be like a star; for all that brings is disappointment to many.
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