10 leadership pitfalls from Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich

“Inability to organize details. Efficient leadership calls for an ability to organize and to master details… [He] must be the master of all details connected with his position. That means, of course, that he must acquire the habit of relegating details to capable lieutenants.”

“Unwillingness to render humble service. Truly great leaders are willing, when occasion demands, to perform any sort of labor which they would ask another to perform. ‘The greatest among ye shall be the servant of all’ is a truth that all able leaders observe and respect.”

“Expectation of pay for what they ‘know’ instead of what they do with that which they know. The world does not pay men for that which they ‘know.’ It pays them for what they do, or induce others to do.”

“Fear of competition from followers. The leader who fears that one of his followers may take his position is practically sure to realize that fear sooner or later. The able leader trains understudies to whom he may delegate, at will, any of the details of his position.”

“Lack of imagination. Without imagination, the leader is incapable of meeting emergencies, and of creating plans by which to guide his followers efficiently.”

“Selfishness. The leader who claims all the honor for the work of his followers is sure to be met with resentment. The really great leader CLAIMS NONE OF THE HONORS. He is contented to see the honors, when there are any, go to his followers…”

“Intemperance. Followers do not respect an intemperate leader. Moreover, intemperance in any of its various forms destroys the endurance and the vitality of all who indulge in it.”

“Disloyalty. The leader who is not loyal to his trust, and to his associates, those above him, and those below him, cannot long maintain his leadership. Disloyalty marks one as being less than the dust of the earth and brings down on one’s head the contempt he deserves.”

“Emphasis of the ‘authority’ of leadership. The efficient leader leads by encouraging, and not by trying to instill fear in the hearts of his followers... If a leader is a REAL LEADER, he will have no need to advertise that fact except by his conduct…”

“Emphasis of title. The competent leader requires no ‘title’ to give him the respect of his followers… The doors to the office of the real leader are open to all who wish to enter, and his working quarters are free from formality or ostentation.”