Top 10 People First Leadership Myths

When we introduce the concept of People First Leadership to organizations, we often hear the same objections, doubts, and misconceptions. We're at the point now where we've probably heard it all—and then some! In trying to explain ideas and create understanding, sometimes it's helpful to define a new concept by what it is not. So that's why today we're dispelling the top ten People First Leadership myths.

Here are the top 10 things that People First Leadership is not.

10. Being a pushover, too nice, or soft. Don’t confuse empathy for weakness. The reality is that People First Leaders fight for their people, not against them. At the same time, People First Leadership emphasizes accountability paired with respect, clarity, and integrity.

9. Never disciplining or firing anyone. Letting someone go often says more about you as a leader than your employee's performance, so termination should only be used as a last resort. If a separation is unavoidable, the key is to make the transition with dignity and generosity (excepting incidents of egregious behavior and/or illegal activity).

8. Non-strategic and unfocused. Um, no. Strategy and focus are hallmarks of good leadership. Whether or not a leader exhibits these traits has little to do with the leadership philosophy and everything to do with the leader's abilities and decisions.

7. New Age, woo-woo BS. Well, if believing in the inherent value of people above all else is bullshit, hand me a shovel, baby. I'm all in! The fact of the matter is, though unconventional when compared to traditional management styles, People First Leadership is an academically validated approach to leadership.

6. Anti-data. That's a negative, sir. Accurate and reliable data can serve as a major advantage in organizational strategy and decision-making. The difference is that People First Leaders leverage data to help their employees, not hinder them.

5. Anti-AI. False. When used responsibly, AI is a powerful business tool. People First Leaders simply do not sacrifice humanity for efficiency. Furthermore, we'd suggest the more an organization utilizes AI, the more real people it needs on staff.

4. Religious. God, no. There are some leadership styles with roots in religion, but People First Leadership is not one of them. Other than the core tenet of putting people first, the leadership style has no religious undertones whatsoever.

3. Achieving results through people. This isn't a helpful way to characterize People First Leadership. People are not a means to an end. The results you generate are a byproduct of the people you lead. That’s a subtle distinction, but a significant one.

2. Slow. If by "slow" you mean People First Leadership practices patience and values longevity, that’s true. It does not, however, preclude leaders from moving quickly. Speed is a competitive advantage—the key is leveraging a fast pace without burning out your employees.

1. Unprofitable. This just isn't true. In fact, some research suggests people-centric organizations perform better financially than their counterparts. Though, People First Leaders understand there are more important things than money.

And there you have it: the top 10 People First Leadership myths dispelled. If you're still needing more information about our unique brand of leadership, check out one of our other related posts. And there's always more to come!