7 signs you are not leadership material

Leaders need to own up to their mistakes and be trustworthy.

Those are the two most important findings from a recent survey by The Forum Corporation, which found trust in leadership - one of the key drivers of employee engagement - is on the decline in Asia.

One in five employees and two in five leaders believe trust in leadership is lower today than in the past. In fact, leaders gave building trust a high priority, with more than 96.5% considering it of "great" or "very great" importance.

However, when it comes to owning up to mistakes - an important element of building trust - 50% of employees said their bosses never apologise, despite 97.2% of leaders saying they own up to their mistakes.

The overwhelming fear of seeming incompetent or weak in front of staff was identified as the main reason for leaders in Asia not owning up to mistakes.

If you're not able to build trust and put your hand up when you have made a mistake then are you really being the best leader you can be?

We put together a few more points which could indicate that you are not leadership material:

1. You get bored easily

Job hoppers, listen up. If you get fed up with things quickly or consider going in a new direction every year or so, then you're probably not leadership material.

Leaders need to be focused and determined to see out a problem - not consider their next career step when things get a bit tough.

2. You're too selfish

Leaders are there to support their team, and if you're only out for yourself then you're probably better off in another position.

Leaders who are power hungry tend to take control instead of giving out advice to their team on how they can solve a problem or issue together.

3. You take things too personally

You've heard the expression "it's not personal, it's business", right? Well, when that comes into play, you need to be able to stand the heat and realise people aren't always out to get you - they're simply doing what's best for the organisation.

If you get your knickers in a knot over small things, your staff or colleagues are not likely to involve you in key decisions for fear of hurting your feelings.

4. You're driven solely by money

Making money should not be the reason you want to lead a team or become the head of an organisation.

You should want to be a leader because you like to solve problems and lead others. Yes, you can make a lot of money if you're good at finding efficient and cost-effective solutions, but it's not something that happens instantaneously once you've got the title.

5. You aren't good at explaining things

The ability to break down big strategies, ideas or problems into easy-to-understand steps for implementation is a necessary part of being a great leader.

If you aren't able to help your staff understand more complex parts of the business, then you're not doing your full job as a leader.

6. You shy away from confrontation

It's not desirable to be a naturally confrontational person, but chances are as a leader you will need to confront many things - ideas, bosses, employees - head-on.

Being able to do this in a professional and level-headed manner is imperative, but blowing up and being over-confrontational is also dangerous.

7. You don't like feeling uncomfortable

Guess what? Being a leader is a roller coaster - you never know quite what might be around the corner, but you've got to be able to handle all the uncomfortable ups and downs.

It's not easy, but good leaders are comfortable with being uncomfortable. They know a certain level of discomfort will push them in the right direction and keep them on their toes, and they welcome it.