We’ve found that there are many more articles about what leaders should do and what qualities they may have than articles focused on what leaders need to avoid. Especially in a time when businesses are more remote, more spread out and changing more quickly than ever, it’s worth pumping the brakes and checking yourself before you make these common mistakes.
As a leader, your to-do list and your time are already pushed to the max. Meetings, daily tasks, new opportunities, recruiting, networking…it never ends. This one is; take a Post-It note and slap it on something close to your desk. Write on it one simple phrase: Memento mori.
Okay, “Remember you will die” might seem an over-the-top way to remember your fallibility, but it’s a reminder that we all need sometimes. Leaders are human. We make mistakes, we take bad decisions, and we don’t always value the input of those around us as much as we should. But having a constant reminder, much like slaves would whisper to conquering caesars and generals returning to Rome, can help us avoid some of the most dangerous pitfalls in leadership.
Make It Tangible. An important part of leadership is turning a vision into reality. The hardest part of that process is turning ideas into tangible, deliverable goals your team can essentially see, understand, and accomplish. We’ve sat in plenty of meetings with leaders talking about big goals and big ideas; as the team filtered out, we asked what they were going to physically do to accomplish that vision. Most had no idea.
Take your vision and break it down. Break it down to small pieces. Then smaller pieces. Include a reasonable timeline, too. When you can assign tasks, roles, and answer questions on your own or among a chosen few, then it’s time to bring in the full organization.
Be A Human. With so many articles discussing Tim Cook’s penchant for waking up at 3:45 am and other somewhat inaccessible strategies, it’s easy to get sidetracked away from more important priorities. Be a real person. Make a point of scheduling lunch or a walk with people from every department in your organization; share something you enjoy with them and encourage them to share something they enjoy with you. One of the best experiences you can have is empowering others through a strong connection. Your team is more likely to work hard and fight hard for someone who asked them to show them their favorite lunch spot than someone who exists only in their work email.
Be Wrong. Because you are wrong. One of the biggest mistakes leaders make is not realizing they make mistakes. Being an executive does not make you infallible, nor does it make you an expert on every topic. CFOs who become CEOs suddenly feel the need to correct department leaders with decades of combined experience in sales just because the middle letter of their title has changed. As we’ve said countless times before, your first job as a leader is to surround yourself with people that are smarter than you are. Take their advice, take feedback and criticism from every level of the organization, and make openness a priority each and every day.
It’s We, Not Me. Some of the best leaders we’ve met will never refer to their work as their own. Real leaders understand that they do a fraction of the work required of the business. Acknowledge and celebrate the fact that everyone plays a role in the success of your organization and understand the value of having a team that gets it all done. Maybe the best way to realize just how important each team member is might be to look at all the things you personally can’t do; like it or not, that is a long list!
Memento Mori. We are fallible, but we are also fortunate to have small and large victories along the way. Just like in life, leadership has its ups and downs, its ebb and flow, but it comes down to our decisions to stay on the right path that dictates what comes next.
Looking to up your leadership game? Learn more about our business coaching services and programs and let’s talk!