It is essential for us to know what NOT to do when one’s placed in a leadership position. Below, I outline the mistakes I’ve made within the past few months, and things I had to overcome to better myself in a business setting.
1. Attention To Detail
Efficient leadership calls for the ability to organize and master details. No genuine leader is ever “too busy” to do anything that is required of him as a leader. When a man (whether he is a leader or follower) admits that he is “too busy” to change his plans, he admits his inefficiency. A successful leader must be the master of all details connected with his position. Attention to detail is important in any role. This ability allows a leader to be able to handle any leadership role given.
2. Rendering Humble Service
Great leaders are willing to perform any sort of job that they would ask another to perform. When a leader thinks he is “too good” for a certain type of task, he isn’t really a leader. A leader performs any task, despite the level, whether the task is cleaning the toilets or handling the finances of the company. A leader should be the do-it-all, not the think-they-know-it-all.
3. Striving For Competition
When I started this business, I was afraid of the idea of someone being better than I was at something. I feared that this said individual might take my position away. As I grew and learned, I understood that it is not how well I do things, but how well I train someone to be better than I am at something. This ability has helped me grow as a person, as well as multiply my business into a bigger and more organic company. If you consider yourself a leader, don’t be afraid of challenging your followers to be better than you. This will push you to be better, to get stronger, and to motivate your employees better.
4. Imagination
The number one characteristic HR Managers and CEOs are looking for? Uniqueness–the ability to be creative at something, the gift of showing how authentic you can be. A leader should be able to come up with ideas on a daily basis. If a leader lacks imagination, then he really can’t lead. He can’t show that he will be able to solve any problem or create something to enhance the company’s performance.
5. Selflessness
How many times have you heard of a leader being selfish? Leaders are selfish people when it comes to learning, but they are the most selfless people when it comes to teaching and training others. One of my comrades taught me: “Be selfish about what you learn and what will help you succeed. If you are selfish to get better, you will train better people. Be selfless though, selfless when you train them “. The individual who told me this is currently running one of the top 10 marketing companies in the country.
6. Loyalty
Loyal leaders tend to be the most reliable leaders, and often, the ones who will grow a business quicker. Be loyal to yourself, to your team, your employees, your company, and your employer. The key to success in leadership lies on the ability to give trust and take trust. If we are not loyal to the people we surround ourselves with, how do we expect them to help us grow?. Until you realize this, you are not going to succeed.
7. Influencing Others
Leadership isn’t about how much power you hold over people, but how much influence you can create. Leadership is about inspiring people to do well, inspiring them to follow your vision and see it through. I’ve seen so many leaders fail because of their abuse of power because they see themselves as something better. Abusing that power will drive you to the ground.
8. Humility
There is no abuse of power without emphasizing the “title” the person holds. A good leader will never say “I am a leader”, but instead will show his ability to lead people. A bad leader, on the other hand, will boost his title and his certifications. Leadership isn’t about the title, or achievements. It is all about how well we treat people, how we can influence them, and how well we manage that attention without raising our pride.
