In the dynamic landscape of business, being effective as a leader isn't just a desirable quality; it's the foundation upon which successful teams and organizations are built. As Jocko Willink quotes, “There are no bad teams, just bad leaders.” With leadership being a privilege and obligation, the title is earned and should not be taken lightly.
Yet, despite its importance, the journey to becoming a great leader is loaded with pitfalls and poor habits that many find themselves facing. From personal experience, the first step is identifying these pitfalls in the first place so you can begin to make the positive changes necessary.
Here are some common leadership pitfalls and a quick action step to steer you in the right direction!
1. High Employee Turnover:
High employee turnover is a red flag signaling deeper organizational issues. It not only drains resources but also disrupts workflow and undermines team morale. And don't think that no one notices; a consistent high turnover can be seen from other employees as well as customers. According to a study by Gallup, businesses with high employee turnover rates incur an estimated cost of 33% of an employee’s annual salary to find a replacement.
That's a big deal when it comes to the bottom line!
Do This: Get to the root of the high turnover issue first. Invest in employee development, provide clear career paths, and foster a positive work environment to increase retention.
2. Tolerating Poor Performance:
Don't let the Russian Nesting Doll mindset bog you down.
Tolerating poor performance sets a low standard and damages team morale and effectiveness. Nothing kills a high performer more than a leader who tolerates a bad one. Research by Harvard Business Review indicates that failing to address poor performance can decrease team productivity by up to 30%. What you might see as being such a minor concern on your plate, can lead to larger problems that are most likely already brewing.
Do This: Set clear performance expectations, provide constructive feedback and performance management, and offer support and resources for improvement. When you have a team of high achievers that aim for high performance, amazing things happen!
3. Micromanaging:
Nobody likes to be watched by Big Brother/Sister aka "the camera in the sky" or more often than not, the one right over your shoulder!
Micromanaging stifles creativity, breeds resentment, and hampers productivity. A controlling manager shows their team that they do not trust what they are doing or value their input. A survey by Accountemps found that 68% of employees felt micromanagement decreased their morale, while 55% said it hindered their productivity.
Do This: Delegate tasks with trust, provide autonomy, and focus on outcomes rather than methods. Wrap your head around the fact that throughout the journey of team development and growth, there WILL be mistakes. It's ok. Learn to let go of the reigns a bit and allow your team to spread their wings!
4. Doing Just Enough to Get By:
Don't get too comfortable now. If your job is feeling too easy, it's time to do some reflection and/or level up.
Doing just enough to get by breeds mediocrity and hampers innovation. A manager who chooses to “fly under the radar” not only shows a lack of integrity in their role, but also acts as a bottleneck to their teams’ growth. According to a study by McKinsey & Company, companies with a culture of excellence are three times more likely to outperform their peers in terms of revenue growth. These are the ones going beyond the bare minimum and thinking outside of the box!
Do This: Encourage a culture of excellence, set ambitious goals and standards, and lead by example with a commitment to continuous improvement. Instead of the “I made it” mentality, continue to be a sponge and always be elevating your standard.
5. Prioritizing Popularity Over Effective Leadership:
This one is for all of you likable, yet oftentimes, subservient leaders out there. We love you, but you know the feeling when it feels like people are beginning to take advantage of your kindness.
Prioritizing popularity over effective leadership compromises integrity and credibility. A survey by Leadership IQ found that 23% of employees said their leaders avoided making tough decisions due to a fear of unpopularity, leading to decreased respect for their leadership. It may feel like it's working in your favor, but you are only building a reputation of being a push-over!
Do This: Make decisions based on what's best for the team and the organization as a whole, even if they're unpopular in the short term. Learn to say one of the hardest one-liners for individuals like this: No. Remember, in your quest to make everyone happy, there will always be someone your answer will not be ok with on the opposite end.
In the great words of Dr. Henry Cloud, "Never go back to thinking you can make everyone happy."
6. Pretending to Know It All:
Any know-it-all's out there reading up to this point are most likely saying 'none of this applies to me.' Case and point.
Pretending to know it all not only shows a lack of humility in a leader, but it also alienates team members and inhibits growth. In simpler form, people don't like being around people who are arrogant know-it-all's. Plain as that.
According to a study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, leaders who exhibit humility are more effective and foster higher levels of team performance. Not to mention higher retention, more peer influence and impact, and leave positive lasting impressions.
Do This: Embrace a growth mindset, be open to learning from others, and seek input and expertise from diverse perspectives. It’s ok to not have all of the answers - nobody does. Be curious and eager to learn and be ok with saying “I do not have that answer, but I will find out.”
7. Avoiding Tough Conversations:
Piggy-backing off of the likable leaders from pitfall five, having uncomfortable conversations is their arch nemesis, so avoiding them altogether is the first line of defense.
While it may be pleasant in the short term, avoiding tough conversations allows problems to fester and undermines team cohesion. Back to tolerating poor performance. If your team is seeing that you as their leader is not correcting a problem, you lose respect and are seen as someone who does not step into needed situations.
A survey by VitalSmarts revealed that 97% of employees have encountered leaders who avoid difficult conversations, leading to decreased morale and productivity.
Do This: Approach challenging conversations with empathy, honesty, and a focus on finding solutions rather than assigning blame. There is always a larger goal to having these tough conversations. Focus on the goal, focus on the facts, and lead with positive intent.
8. Engaging with Gossip with Their Employees:
Why does this happen?! The goal is to be a part of the solution - not the problem. Engaging with gossip not only breeds toxicity, but also damages team unity and may cause divide.
Research by the American Psychological Association shows that workplace gossip can decrease trust among coworkers and hinder collaboration, ultimately impacting organizational performance. When it stems or has involvement from management, this breeds a larger problem that spreads to other aspects of the business.
Do This: Set a zero-tolerance policy for gossip, lead by example with positive communication, and address rumors or misinformation promptly and transparently.
In conclusion, leadership is a journey of continuous growth and self-reflection. While it's natural to stumble along the way, recognizing and correcting these common pitfalls is essential for cultivating a culture of excellence, fostering employee engagement, and driving organizational success.
By prioritizing authenticity, accountability, and a commitment to ongoing improvement, you can navigate the challenges of leadership with confidence and integrity.
If you enjoyed reading this post and are eager to grow in your leadership so you can become a catalyst in your space, Leadership Pitfalls is one of the lessons found in our Outwork180 Blueprint powered by The Outwork Agency. The blueprint offers a complete and comprehensive dive into transformational leadership from personal shifts, operational excellence, and team building dynamics. We work with companies and teams to transform their leadership impact.
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