Being a Leader is NOT like a Duck

Do you sometimes feel lost and overwhelmed with work, study or life in general?  

Sure, everyone has at least one point in their lives (if you haven't, ask yourself if you're attending to things with maximum drive).  

In the article (and accompanying video) "The Emotional Adventure of Leadership", the author recalls the feelings of panic, uneasiness, embarressment and inadequacy when he had to lead a group on a mountaineering expedition as an analogy for leadership.  Like the consensus, in his mind, he expects that:

"Leaders are supposed to have the answers. They're supposed to be confident, self-assured, and knowledgeable. They're supposed to know where they are and where they're going at all times."

However, the idea that a true leader isn't supposed to know all the answers, but rather be able to lead to get the answers along the way to the end goal by understanding the emotions and :

"You have to be capable of feeling awkward and uncertain without giving up. You have to believe that you and your team have what it takes to see yourselves through — or, if need be, to pick yourselves up and start again."

He also gives the advice that, "...here's what not to do: pretend you're in control...."  

So essentially, don't be a duck: calm and serene above the water, but madly paddling its feet beneath.  

I agree to a point.

I believe that you have to portray having some level of control, but you can also be honest that you may find the task(s) challenging.  If you show that you're as human as everyone else, that makes people bond with you (humans are deep down a compassionate bunch).  However, you DO have to SHOW that you're in control in regaining that control, especially if you're encountering (and admitting to the same problems) repeatedly.