To think not everyone’s cut out for leadership and that’s okay?

[PoliteAmberMentor]

We’ve glamorised “boss energy” so much that we’ve forgotten how rare good leadership actually is.

I think it's the same in many skilled jobs. I work in IT and often people get promoted because that's the only way to progress. I did work for one company which had a technical pathway as well as a management pathway, but most places you go technical and then you have to go management if you want yo progress further.

The technical role, be it nursing or IT or probably lots of other roles does not automatically mean you're a good leader. Being able to program tricky solutions doesn't mean you have the emotional intelligence required for management. And some people are leaders even without being in a formal position.

I know most workplaces want their managers to be leaders, but they are not synonymous. Some managers try to rule by a dictatorship, but if it came to it, no one would choose to follow them, because they do not know how to win people over in their hearts and minds.

Totally OK.

When I was teaching, a bossy manager said to me and another teacher: "Don't you WANT to be headteachers???" We both said, "No - we like actually teaching". We both got marked down for lack of ambition*. 😀

I understand that it's good to be dynamic, always learning and improving and adapting etc etc, but some people like the job at a particular level and don't want to climb the greasy pole.

Also - teaching in particular has always suffered from the problem that the most successful classroom practitioners get promoted out of the classroom....and there've been a number of initiatives over the years to try and promote people but keep them actually in front of the kids.

Also....being a manager is a very specific skillset and I've rarely had what I'd call a good manager over my career. I have a real dislike of people who are promoted to take on management responsibilities but don't actually do the hard stuff that's involved in managing people. I wouldn't want it - but if you apply for management posts, then do the tough stuff please!

*(I should perhaps say that I'm talking about a time when classroom teaching was less stressful and more enjoyable than it is now.)

You're absolutely right. I remember having a review meeting and it was definitely frowned upon that I wasn't ambitious and desperate for promotion.

I was in teaching. Most of my friends would have been excellent HTs but chose to remain in the classroom as they didn't want to spout educational wankspeak and push ideologies and initiatives they didn't believe in, Most of the heads I've worked for were useless in the classroom.

I agree totally.

im a mental health nurse and qualified 30+ years. I’ve never been interested in managing. Currently I’m freewheeling down to retirement and am doing Bank work for 2-3 days a week. I normally work in mental health liaison services, so work mainly in ED and the wards assessing and reviewing those presenting with mental health needs. I’m a band 6. I th ink at this level there’s a lot to be said for frontline experienced staff. I don’t want to manage because I’d be stuck in an office with no f2f work which is what I like.

I’m good at managing my money, don’t live an extravagant lifestyle and I don’t need the extra money that a management position would give and would rather not have the stress!!!!

Yes!

I am not a leader. I am a second in command who gets things done, at the request of and using the authority of the leader.

But because I am good at getting the things done, I am pushed to be the leader...

To an extent I agree, some people are not cut out for leadership...in my experience many of the people who become priests in the c of e and non conformist churches fall into this brackets...they have a sense they are "called" to a position of leadership. Many times they are dreadful.

But there is no training, no day to day mentorship or example to follow. I have watched over the years a woman who was promoted to a management role at a hotel I visit regularly. She started off being dictatorial and blunt with staff and customers. But within a short period she became a firm customers favourite and clearly liked and respected.

People grow as leaders, often they start by trying to impose themselves on a role...they should develop with training and being mature enough to analyse what they are doing

Absolutely, I hate being a leader when I have to be. I recently did a degree in leadership and innovation. (Not my choice) and it made me realise I am quite happy being an Indian not a chief. It’s a skill that some people have and some just don’t have. My best friend is a born leader and very good at it.

I’m also a band 6 HCP. I have attempted a couple of band 7 interviews but both times was conflicted about it and relieved not to get the job. It’s always interesting watching some others move to band 7 and take on management responsibilities very naturally. I really don’t think that’s me, and that’s ok.

I was promoted against my will into a leadership role and hated it (and was crap at it). Stuck it for 2 years (for the money) until they finally saw sense and gave me a sideways move into a senior individual contributor role.

@PermanentTemporarysane here. I did a secondment as a band 6 and was glad I didn’t get permanent. I’m happy as a 5.

Oh 100% agree and it’s the people who think they’re good at it who usually shouldn’t be doing it