Leadership: It Was Never About the Scorecards

When I stepped into leadership, it wasn’t because I thought managing spreadsheets, reports, and endless scorecards would be fun. (Spoiler alert: they’re not.)

The truth is that people choose leadership for all kinds of reasons. Some of those reasons build strong teams, inspire growth, and leave lasting impact. Others? They lead to burnout, disengagement, and the dreaded “bad boss” reputation.

So let’s get real for a minute. Here are the top 3 reasons you should go into leadership and the top 3 reasons you absolutely shouldn’t.

✅ The Right Reasons to Step Into Leadership

To Develop Others
Leadership is about multiplying talent, not hoarding it. The real thrill is watching someone grow into their potential and knowing you helped create the space for it.
To Drive Positive Change
True leaders see the bigger picture. They step up because they want to improve processes, cultures, and outcomes not just for themselves, but for everyone.
To Build Trust and Empowerment
At the heart of leadership is trust. When you lead with integrity, you create environments where people feel safe to innovate, fail, and succeed.

❌ The Wrong Reasons to Step Into Leadership

For the Title or Ego Boost
If your main driver is having “Manager” or “Director” in your email signature, stop. Titles won’t earn you respect; actions will.
For Control
Leadership isn’t about holding power over people. If you’re in it to micromanage or pull strings, you’ll destroy more than you’ll ever build.
For the Metrics Alone
Scorecards, KPIs, and dashboards matter, but they’re not the reason people follow you. If the numbers are your only motivation, you’ll miss the human side of leadership entirely.

Leadership is not a checklist. It’s a calling to serve, influence, and create impact beyond yourself. If you’re stepping in for the right reasons, the scorecards will follow.

👉 Ask yourself: Why did I choose leadership, and would I choose it again today?

And if you’re not sure, or if you’re searching for clarity, I mentor leaders (and future leaders) through Fiverr to help you uncover your “why” and step into leadership with confidence.