Successful leaders are often credited with having high social intelligence , the ability to embrace change, inner resources such as self-awareness and self-mastery, and above all, the capacity to focus on the things that truly merit their attention . These are desirable skills for everyone else, too.
What Is Leadership? (Plain Language Explanation)
Leadership refers to a pattern of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that many people experience. While it can be challenging, it's also well-understood and treatable.
Key Terms to Know About Leadership
- Symptoms: The specific ways leadership shows up for you
- Triggers: Situations or thoughts that activate or worsen leadership
- Evidence-based: Treatments backed by scientific research
- Comorbidity: When leadership occurs alongside other conditions
3 Things Most People Don't Know About Leadership
- Leadership is far more common than most people realize
- Leadership is not caused by weakness — it has identifiable biological and psychological causes
- Most people with leadership see significant improvement with the right support
Your Next Steps
Learning about leadership is just the beginning. If you think you're experiencing leadership, speaking with a mental health professional is the most valuable next step.