Introduction
Everybody wants to be a leader — but not everyone has the qualities to truly become one. According to Napoleon Hill, there are two types of leadership: leadership by force and leadership by consent. The world has already seen enough of the first — and history has shown us that it never ends well.
There are also two types of people: leaders and followers. Being a follower is not a disgrace — but staying a follower forever, without transforming into a leader, is a missed opportunity. Almost every great leader was once a follower. But what sets them apart is their ability to rise and lead the right way.
Today, Lumiself Lab brings you 10 of the biggest reasons why people fail in leadership, as listed by Napoleon Hill in his book Think and Grow Rich. These are the habits, behaviors, and attitudes that silently destroy your chances of becoming the kind of leader others want to follow.
Let’s get started!
1. Inability to Organize Details
Great leaders are masters of detail. They know what’s going on — not just the big picture, but the moving parts that hold everything together. They’re never “too busy” to dig into the details when needed and always prepared for emergencies. A good leader knows how to delegate smartly while staying informed about every part of the operation. Leadership without attention to detail is like a car without a steering wheel — directionless.
2. Unwillingness to Render Humble Service
True leaders are not above any task. They are willing to jump in when needed, lead by example, and do the extra work when the situation demands it. Leadership is not just about giving orders — it’s about earning respect through action, not position. People don’t follow titles; they follow humility, effort, and integrity.
3. Expecting Pay for What They “Know,” Not for What They Do
The world pays you not for your knowledge, but for what you do with it. Leadership is not about sounding smart in meetings — it’s about taking action, making things happen, and delivering results. Knowledge without execution is just theory. Real leaders are doers.
4. Fear of Competition from Followers
Insecure leaders fear being outshined by their team members. But real leaders don’t compete with their followers — they empower them. A great leader knows how to delegate tasks to the right people and understands that the success of the team is more powerful than any personal accomplishment. When the team wins, the leader wins.
5. Lack of Imagination
Leadership requires creative thinking — especially during tough times. If a leader cannot think outside the box, adapt, or find new ways to solve problems, the team suffers. Without imagination, leadership becomes rigid and ineffective. Leaders must have a vision and the mental flexibility to bring it to life.
6. Selfishness
Self-centered leaders who take all the credit and leave none for their team create resentment. A great leader shares success generously. Why? Because a motivated, appreciated team will always outperform an unrecognized one. The spotlight is not what drives true leaders — it’s the team’s growth and progress that truly matters.
7. Intemperance
Discipline and self-control are non-negotiable in leadership. Whether it’s emotional outbursts, addiction, or inconsistency — intemperance of any kind breaks trust. Followers need a calm, steady leader they can rely on. If a leader cannot control themselves, they cannot lead others.
8. Disloyalty
Loyalty is a two-way street. A leader who is not loyal to their values, their team, or themselves will eventually lose everything. Disloyal leaders might win in the short term, but long-term leadership is built on trust, and once that’s broken — it’s hard to rebuild.
9. Emphasizing Authority Over Influence
Weak leaders often try to force people into action. They rely too much on position and control, rather than inspiration and persuasion. True leadership isn’t about barking orders — it’s about knowing how to influence, motivate, and uplift people so they want to follow you.
10. Obsession with Titles
You don’t need a title to be a leader. And having a title doesn’t automatically make you one. True leaders earn respect not by flaunting their position, but through genuineness, empathy, and consistency. The best leaders are the ones who make others feel seen, heard, and inspired — title or not.
Final Thoughts
Leadership is not a gift — it’s a choice and a practice. The mistakes listed above don’t just sabotage leadership — they block your growth, drain your influence, and make it harder for people to believe in you.
Every great leader knows that failure is part of the process. But they also learn from it. So, start today. Reflect on what you need to fix. Practice what needs to improve. Because when you remove what’s holding you back, you naturally rise to the front.
Great leaders don’t demand loyalty — they earn it.
