No one wants to be a leader. Here's why it's still a great role.
Leadership used to be a role people aspired to. But today, employees are increasingly avoiding leadership positions or even stepping out of leadership roles. In fact, 40% of leaders have considered leaving their role to improve their work-life balance and well-being according to a survey of almost 11,000 leaders by DDI. A comprehensive survey by Rand across 34 countries involving 27,000 adults found that 39% didn't want career progression and 57% would reject a job if they thought it would have negative effects on their work-life balance. And according to a separate survey by DDI, Gen Z is 1.7 times more likely than other generations to consider leaving leadership roles because they want to protect their well-being.
However, there are still compelling reasons to seek leadership. And there are great reasons to stick with it if you're already in a leadership role.
1. Making a positive impact
Leadership is the most direct route for making a positive impact on an organization. Leaders have a broader range of influence, because of the number of people who report to them, the practices they adopt, and the decisions they make.
Leaders also have a big impact on others. Demonstrating respect and empathy, focusing on well-being, and inspiring performance and results can all have positive outcomes for people. And these leadership behaviors can have a ripple effect in terms of how people treat each other and hold each other accountable in the organization and the community.
As a leader, you're likely to work on issues that are more strategic than tactical, which can have a domino effect on the business. For example, decisions by the product leader can impact how the brand team markets the product and the sales team positions it with customers.
2. Pay and marketability
Another reason to lead is because of the rewards. Leadership is worth the effort because it pays you back in tangible ways. In most companies, leadership responsibility is still the fastest way to increase your pay and advance your career.
But in addition, you'll also be likely to amplify your personal brand and increase your marketability. Leadership is one of the most sought-after skills among hiring managers and organizations. When you're able to demonstrate that you have experience with leadership and you're skilled in directing, coaching, decision-making, inspiring, and motivating others, you'll set yourself up to shine in future roles. And you'll be able to advance within your current organization or in a new company.
It's an excellent time to pursue leadership since fewer people are interested, meaning there's less competition and more opportunities.
3. Autonomy
No matter what your role, you have to answer to someone. Even senior leaders or founders of companies have to answer to boards of directors or customers. But in leadership roles, you typically make decisions about what gets done and how it's prioritized. You may also benefit from greater variety in your work, and less redundancy. You'll have more control over what you do, which can be empowering.
Having choice and control can be especially fulfilling, and it can also reduce stress. In two separate studies by Indiana University in 2016 and 2020, people who were in jobs that were very stressful and who had little decision-making power tended to be less healthy and had reduced longevity. On the other hand, when people were in stressful jobs but had more autonomy and control over how they did their work, they didn't have the same negative health outcomes.
4. Growth
Another great reason to lead is the opportunity for growth. The process of learning new things is significantly correlated with happiness, according to a study published in the Journal of Happiness Studies. Leadership challenges your capabilities as you navigate all the needs of the team, the organization, and the competitive environment.
As a leader, you may be called on to do new projects, take on additional initiatives, or expand your responsibilities. All of these are great ways to build your skills for your current job and your next job to create a career that's satisfying and meaningful.
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