10 Misconceptions about Leadership
Avoiding Negative Leadership Characteristics
Equally important as following the common positive characteristics of good leaders, is avoiding commonly sighted negative characteristics.
10 Things to Avoid as a Successful Leader
- Not Listening: Listening is important to building a loyal and faithful team. Everyone needs to be part of the process and the bigger picture.
- Dismissing ideas other than your own: Don’t make employees feel like they are pitching to you, encourage them to brainstorm alongside you. Understand their potential and give credit where it is due.
- Accepting Experience over potential: Note that some of your best talents will come from passionate individuals. Take advantage of their enthusiasm and their fresh outlook on the industry.
- Ego: Release your ego and focus on becoming an inspirational figure. Look out for your team because if you are without their full support, you will get nowhere.
- Overworking: Set an example for your team and learn how to take a break. Make sure your mind isn’t always focused on one thing -work. It could cause a negative atmosphere and your team may also think they have to follow suit and work all hours.
- Lack of empathy: Leaders must do their best to remove obstacles so a team can prosper.
- Under-prioritising leadership development: Create a growth plan for your team and encourage them to become leaders within their departments. Give them a personal goal and build their enthusiasm.
- Being too conservative: Have faith in yourself and your team. Missing opportunities could be a detriment to your organisation. Create excitement by using your gut and have an open mind, you never know what opportunities may come your way.
- Assigning blame: Take responsibility for team failures, because they are your responsibility. It is your responsibility to find a solution.
- Inconsistency: Don’t confuse your team with misdirection. Use your ethics and vision to define the ultimate goal and stick to it.