Leader in theory or practice?

There is a huge difference between having the knowledge about something and behaving according to that knowledge. 

This applies to all areas of life and I think it is human that we don’t always live by what we know. 

When it comes to leadership, however, this is an important aspect to watch out for. 

You may have a person in front of you who knows everything about leading people in theory. But when it comes to real life, this person does not apply what they know. 

As a recruiter, try to collect evidence of past behavior to get an impression of what the individual has been like with others. 

As a manager, don’t only listen to nice words (the theory), but observe and talk about real-life examples. You may also include feedback from subordinates to understand different perspectives. 

As a people leader, don’t think that attending a leadership training will be sufficient to be a good leader. The theory can set the right baseline and broaden your horizon, but only by leading in real life and collecting your own experiences, you will see whether you actually apply what you learned. 

Those who believe that knowing the theory suffices, bring the biggest risk to themselves and the organization.