5 Common Mistakes Leaders and How To Avoid ThemMake

We all have our flaws. Sometimes, we are lucky enough to identify them before others do and can take steps to correct the course. Other times, our mistakes can be our downfall, hurting the company and costing us a job. Here are some common mistakes to watch out for.

1. IGNORING THE IMPORTANCE OF QUALITY

Ely Callaway founded Callaway Golf. He regularly talked about how the organisation needed to be demonstrably better and pleasingly different. The business’s products took a major downward turn in the years after his retirement as they struggled to remember the importance of quality. It wasn’t until they brought on a CEO who remembered this principle that the ship was righted. Quality often falls to the wayside as we worry about profits.

2. BEING CLUELESS ABOUT YOUR EGO’S POWER

Many leaders do not know how or why they need to overcome their ego. Ego is your self-serving, self-centered ambition. The desire to be recognised by, elevated above, or to be more than others. Most leaders do not want to talk about their ego conflict. People see through your ego. They either disengage and do what they are told or they take advantage of your ego. Ego leads to an incredible amount of stress causing poor life and business decisions focused on your own desires.

3. TAKING YOUR PEOPLE GRANTED

We don’t mean that you have to shower your workers with hugs and gifts, but you should contribute to their long-term well-being and success. You must not forget how important of an opportunity you have to assist in developing and contributing to your team’s well-being and success. After all, the highest calling of leadership is the development and growth of people.

4. MAKING ENTITLEMENT PART OF THE CULTURE

Believed to be one of the best coaches in basketball, the head coach of the Boston Celtics, Brad Stevens, once said that he does not tolerate entitlement. Instead, he has built a culture of trust, togetherness, and accountability. In other words, as his players are earning millions of dollars, entitlement will not enter the equation whether you are the last guy on the bench or a star player. Nobody should be allowed to be entitled if millionaires can’t be.

5. NOT BEING SELF-AWARE

Self-awareness allows you to see what you do best so that you can then go hard on those parts of your life. And, you can also learn to accept your weaknesses. You have no chance of sustained success as a leader without being incredibly self-aware.

Contribution from freelance writer, Jenny Holt.

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About the Author:

Barbara Clifford (The Time Tamer) is a time management & stress management enthusiast based in Alice Springs, Australia. She has spent over 20 years working in time precious and stressful industries such as film, hospitality and marketing. She has always had a burning passion for creating order and making sense of things. She is sought after like a beacon in a sea of chaos to provide professional development in the business environment through workshop training, coaching, mentoring, online training programs, webinars and as a guest speaker around Australia. Her professional experience has included contracts with small business, Not For Profits, Aboriginal Organisations, Media, Marketing, Aged Care, Universities, Health Services and Cruise Ships. Follow Barbara on Twitter @barbclifford.