10 things to NOT do as a leader ⛔️ (part 2)
Leadership 'To Not Do' List
*|IF:FNAME|*. *|ELSE:|**|END:IF|*Did you find yourself guilty of any of last week's five leadership 'to not do' items?
If you missed last week's newsletter you can read it here.
Without further ado, here's part two of the ten traps I see and hear leaders falling into regularly.
6 Not asking questions
Closely linked to 'not listening', not asking questions can lead you into a trap of missing important information or perspectives which could lead to a better outcome. It also stops you understanding your team; a critical factor when it comes to building trust.
Avoid it: Listen. In your next meeting stop and ask a question instead of offering a suggestion or solution. Ask someone for their view or for an alternative perspective. One of my favourite questions when tackling a chunky problem is 'what would this look like if it was easy?'.
Next time you sit down with a team member, ask them something about themselves; what their greatest win was last week, how they feel on a scale of 1-10, what they want to achieve in the next three months. What you learn might surprise you.
7 Doing everything
It's so tempting to avoid some of the gnarly parts of management (like leading your team / organising others / having difficult conversations) by burying yourself in some deep technical work.
Your technical skills may have been why you were promoted but they won't be what gets you to the next phase of career success. You need to move away from the 'doing' and towards 'leading'. This means delegating.
Delegation not only frees up your time but it develops your team so they get the skills and experiences they need to succeed in their careers.
Avoid it: Build your delegation skills. When you write your to do list next week, look at the tasks and really challenge yourself on what YOU need to do. Who else can help you tackle some of those tasks?
Also; enrol NOW for the Delegate or Die course on Udemy now for only USD9.99 for a limited time (usual RRP USD$19.99).
8 Not developing yourself
Getting sucked into the daily grind and buying into the identity of 'busy' can mean your own development takes a back seat. All of sudden, it's five years later and you're wondering where the time went and how you're still in the same role.
Avoid it: Talk to your leaders - what would your success look like to them? How can you help them meet their objectives? What does going 'above and beyond' look like?
Plan your future 'you'. What do you want to be able to have achieved in one, three, five, ten years?
Read. Listen to podcasts. Observe other successful people.
9 Taking all the credit
This is not ok, but happens so often - you've probably experienced it yourself. You and your team work hard on a project and then someone else takes all the credit. Urgh. Don't be tempted to do the same.
Avoid it: Shout about other people's achievements - get in the habit of sharing their wins with other people on a regular basis. Embrace the mindset that their success is your success.
10 Eating other people's food
Communal fridges do not = communal food, even if you are in charge.
Avoid it: Stop that right now. Get your own snacks.
WAIT! Want 10 things you should do?
From 24 September - 5 October I'm running a 10 day leadership challenge. Each day you'll receive a tiny micro-challenge to try with your team; a question, an activity or something to ponder.
We are a product of our habits and this 10 day challenge is to kick-start or refresh your habit of leadership - the little actions you take everyday which add up to your style as a leader.
Are you up for the 10 day leadership challenge?
"Earn your leadership every day."
Michael Jordan
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Want to see your management or leadership challenge addressed with helpful advice and resources? Email me at steph@stephclarke.com and let me know what topics you'd like me to include in future newsletters.
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