29 Things You’ll Never Hear a Leader Say

You’ve had that conversation before: one like my recent chat with a leadership consultant, which quickly turned into a recitation of quotes from well-known leaders and coaches. He has read countless books on leadership and can recount a nearly endless number of well-honed principles. And that’s what he did.

After he spent ten solid minutes spouting catchy concepts from the biggest names in leadership, I began to wonder if any angles remain for all us little-names. And I realized: Yes, there is a yet-to-be-spoken perspective. Hence, the list that follows. I don’t pretend to believe this list is complete, so please add your comments. Then forward this column to everyone you know—you will have contributed to a leadership article! And maybe someday, consultants will quote you.

29 Things You’ll Never Hear a Leader Say:

1. Wow, I only had to say it once and everyone understood!
2. Attending that leadership conference really clarified everything for me.
3. You probably do know exactly how I feel.
4. I need to spend less time with God so I can pay more attention to these issues.
5. Thanks, I’m always looking for feedback on how I lead.
6. I enjoy preparing performance reviews, and I especially like the challenging ones.
7. Who cares what people say about me?
8. That went exactly like the strategic plan said it would.
9. My heart is full, so stop it already with the affirmation.
10. Let me offer some objective advice.
11. Please give me the longest explanation possible.
12. It’s a true blessing to be able to learn from such a big failure.
13. You can’t offend me with what you say.
14. “Discouraged” isn’t even a word in my vocabulary.
15. Let’s focus our efforts on looking at the downside.
16. If we keep everything the same, everyone will remain happy—and that’s most important.
17. I’m in this for the near-term only.
18. Why no, I haven’t formed an opinion of it/you yet.
19. Gang, our best days are behind us.
20. If we miss out on this opportunity, relax—it always comes around again.
21. My people really don’t matter in all this.
22. Those conference speakers sure make me feel secure in my role.
23. I have plenty of time for all that social media stuff.
24. Momentum is so over-rated.
25. That columnist/blogger nails it every time; he/she must be an incredible leader.
26. It seems like everyone can read my mind.
27. Everything need not fit neatly within our mission.
28. When I leave for the day, it’s so easy to just turn it all off and wait until tomorrow to think about work again.
29. Nope, I’ve learned it all.

David Staal, senior editor for Building Church Leaders and a mentor to a second grader, serves as the president of Kids Hope USA, a national non-profit organization that partners local churches with elementary schools to provide mentors for at-risk students. David is the author of Lessons Kids Need to Learn (Zondervan, 2012) and Words Kids Need to Hear (Zondervan, 2008). He lives in Grand Haven, MI, with his wife Becky; his son Scott and daughter Erin attend college.