Everyone makes mistakes, we hear this all the time, right? Some mistakes are bigger or more meaningful than others, but when the following most common leadership mistakes are made, they are more fatal and could have easily been avoided.
Lets dive deep into the top 10 most common leadership mistakes, as these can prove a pivotal point in leadership as far as carelessness or unworthiness to actually be in a leadership position.
Best part of all, these can be easily avoided, rather easily.
Get more information from Harvard Business Review ("10 Fatal Flaws That Derail Leaders", Jack Zenger and Joseph Folkman, June 2009.)
Common Leadership Mistake #1 Lack of energy and enthusiasm
Energy! Energy! Energy! This seems basic, but so easy to forget. Smiling and laughter can be very contagious, try to just smile more and brighten everyone's day. Even just walking around with better posture can improve this as well. Try bringing more energy to the room and see what happens.
Mistake #2 Accept their mediocre performance
It's usually best to clearly determine what the best result is that the organization needs and put effort into achieving it.
Try this - ask your supervisor to share with you what is one thing you could work on that would help them the most. The first significant step is to ask. Don't be afraid to upfront with them from the beginning. Now, create a plan to make it happen.
#3 Lack of clear vision and direction
Does it feel as if your only job is to execute rather than be strategic? Lack of vision and direction is probably the most fatal of the ten common leadership mistakes.
#4 Have poor judgment
Do you make decisions as a leader that can frustrate your colleagues and subordinates as these decisions are not in the organization’s best interests and practices?
A simple way to test your own leadership decisions is to remember the organization's purpose, strategy, and goals. Then, ask, "Is this decision in the best interests of our purpose as well as achieving our goals?" If you don't ask or entertain what your colleagues say, you probably lack the critical value of humility which can be a common leadership mistake.
#5 Don’t Collaborate
How often do you act independently, avoid peers, and view other leaders as competitors? As a result, you are distancing yourself from the people who have the insights and support that you could benefit from.
Leaders make this common mistake and hurt themselves when they try to be the sole decision-maker, no matter how our culture like to portray that image. Instead of making a decision, talk about that decision with your direct reports and peers. If you can't, you are all about "ME," not "WE."
# 6 Don’t Walk The Talk
Is it common for you to violate your own standards after setting high expectations and performance goals? If so, you have some horrible values and character flaws.
It's easier to gain credibility with others when you clearly communicate what you expect of others. Before you put expectations on others, make sure it is something you are willing and able to do yourself.
#7 Resist new ideas
Do you finding yourself rejecting suggestions from subordinates and peers? This can quickly cause you to strike out on ideas and solutions that could be benefiting the organization.
We don't need to entertain every new idea, but taking the time to consider it and put forth an effort to make it happen will go a long ways. Many new ideas are bad, but the one or two that are good can become great. Avoid this common leadership mistake, sometimes your peers can have great ideas or more experience on a matter than you.
# 8 Don’t learn from mistakes
Every notice that you fail to use setbacks as opportunities for improvement? You may have peers that make far more errors than you, but yours can be critical, you worst of all you don't learn from them. Be a leader and own up to them!
The strongest leaders are vulnerable. They apologize for their mistakes and forgive those who create problems for them, in doing so they own up and become better for it.
#9 Lack Interpersonal Skills
Are you aggressive, especially if challenged, are you defensive when pushed? If so, you may need to learn to take a step back. Sometimes it's not what you say to someone, but "how" you say it.
We can all accomplish some great things by being nice AND strive for results simultaneously. If you are a "dictator," it will work against you in the long run and often in the short run too. Don't think that nice is the opposite of getting results. No one likes to be belittled. Think of how you want people to approach you. Check out course 6 to see how freedom is superior to control for leaders.
# 10 Fail to develop others
As a leader, you need to make the people around you better. Yet, "ME" oriented leaders are afraid to develop people because they try to protect their jobs or positions. Yes, your co-workers could become a threat to you in the short run. But, a promotion in an organization requires getting someone ready to take your place. People who develop more leaders are often seen as the people who need to be promoted.