In today’s business world, the assumption that leadership automatically accompanies a title or position is a common misconception. True leadership is not confined to the boundaries of authority; it is a skill honed daily, reflecting a profound understanding that actions speak louder than words. This concept is explored by Darryl Rosen in “Table for Three?”, where he highlights the pivotal role of behaviour in leadership through an insightful examination of common pitfalls that even the smartest managers can fall into.
Leadership is perceived through the lens of behaviour rather than the possession of specific skills or knowledge. Rosen’s fun exploration in “Table for Three?” sheds light on fifty critical errors that astute managers steer clear of, with a particular focus on the detrimental impact of setting a poor example through one’s actions—a principle encapsulated in the adage “Do as I say, not as I do”. Below are seven behaviours symptomatic of inadequate leadership that are unfortunately prevalent in the business sphere.
- The Blame Game: It’s not uncommon for business leaders, driven by passion, to cast blame on others or external factors when faced with setbacks. This tendency, while perhaps a mechanism to preserve self-esteem, is often perceived as a leadership failure by colleagues.
- The Worrier: Sharing every concern or worry can come off as a lack of confidence or, worse, as pre-emptive excuses for potential failures. Effective leaders are those who alleviate worries, not exacerbate them.
- The Critic: Leaders who habitually criticise colleagues, customers, or even family members need to introspect. True leadership involves self-reflection and learning from one’s own shortcomings.
- The Complainer: Expressing feelings of being overwhelmed may be natural, but true leaders manage and navigate these feelings without burdening their team with complaints.
- The Jack of All Trades, Master of None: Claiming to multitask should never be an excuse for subpar performance. A culture of mediocrity can be detrimental to both business success and personal career growth.
- The Disorganised Leader: A haphazard approach to management not only leads to mistakes—which cost time, money, and morale—but also tarnishes a leader’s image and sets a poor example for the team.
- The Doom Sayer: Focusing on the negatives in others rather than the positives can hinder growth and development. Leadership is about cultivating a positive outlook for competitive advantage and team development.
Understanding that leadership is an evolutionary process, involving small, progressive steps, is crucial. It’s about evolution rather than revolution, where changing one behaviour or eliminating one mistake at a time can lead to significant improvements.
Addressing these leadership flaws is merely the starting point. The journey to effective leadership and business excellence encompasses a wide array of challenges, including navigating workplace relationships, honing problem-solving skills, mastering time management, building credibility, and enhancing overall business efficacy. The question then becomes, how many of these leadership missteps have you successfully avoided in your pursuit of business success?
