Leadership myths and essential skills for becoming a good leader

Since the 1980s, there has been a shift in attention from management to leadership because the latter is believed to help people thrive in the fast-changing world. Nowadays, leadership is a hot-button topic that has become a buzzword. People talk about it almost everywhere, from family to institutional and national contexts. This article aims to discuss issues concerning leadership, with a focus on leadership myths and essential skills for becoming a good leader. The article begins with the definitions of leadership, drawing on ideas from several leadership experts. It then discusses three common leadership myths related to the position or title of a leader, the functions of leadership and management, and leader-follower interactions. The article then outlines five essential leadership skills for becoming a good leader, focusing on ceaseless learning, openness, confidence, humility, and will. Finally, the article concludes by calling for every leader to make a difference in his or her community in order to make the world a better place.