Contrary to popular belief, I see leadership as a trained skillset, not something we are naturally born with. Some people may possess natural leadership tendencies, but for the most part, I believe leadership is a developed and polished skill over time. The only way to cultivate this is by learning from others—joining leadership groups, reading books by great leaders, attending masterminds, and so on. In many cases, I hold the teacher more accountable than the specific leader. If someone is in a leadership position, you have to ask yourself—who put them there? As a business owner, I often reflect on people I’ve hired in the past, and I take full responsibility for their failures or shortcomings. If I didn’t put them in the best position to succeed, that’s on me. If I hired someone who turned out to create a toxic environment for my team, that’s also on me. And if I didn’t work to train them to be a good leader, that’s on me as well. As I reflect on these situations, I realize that my own leadership skills have gaps. Do we see a trend here? Personal accountability is one of the greatest skills a leader can possess. Understanding that improvement is necessary for success—and having the awareness to take responsibility, no matter the outcome—gives you the confidence to grow. To address the question more directly: I believe leaders sometimes fail because they lack the fundamental qualities needed to lead effectively. Personal accountability and holding high standards, no matter how inconvenient, are key. A leader isn't always the person at the "top." The lowest-paid employee can hold themselves accountable and maintain high standards, even if they haven't yet developed the skillset to move up. Those are the people you want on your team. Skills can be trained, but if someone holds themselves accountable and maintains the standard, they are a leader—regardless of their position in the hierarchy. Great question and topic Matt! --- KJR