Good leadership qualities are rarely natural, and even when a person is a born leader, they may have character traits that aren’t helpful. By just paying attention to a few tips for avoiding leadership mistakes, even a novice can become a good leader. Here are seven mistakes a good leader tries not to do.
- Ignoring Criticism
Being the boss doesn’t mean you’re always right. You may have the final word, but you should listen with a positive attitude to suggestions and criticism from your employees. It is your duty to listen to constructive criticism. After all, if employees are willing to speak out, it shows they care about the business. You can even take surveys of employees to see if they would suggest any changes. - Neglecting Employees
It’s a well-known fact that when people feel their work is appreciated by their boss, they enjoy their work and are more productive. This doesn’t mean you need to try to be their buddy. They need to look to you for leadership and not as a gossip partner. Your employees should feel you are an approachable boss who will listen and cares about their lives. You may find ways to lighten their day with rewards and incentives. - Failing to Communicate
Things change at a rapid pace in every aspect of life, especially in the business world. A good leader will find a way to keep all of his or her employees in the loop about key information that pertains to the company or their jobs. News travels fast, and if you don’t get the right information to the right people, there is a good chance the wrong information will reach them first. - Failing to Delegate
You have the responsibility and the authority for seeing that assignments get done. However, you also have employees who may be good at this. Whenever possible, delegate the responsibility and authority to them for certain tasks. - Failing to Set Goals
A good leader will set goals that give employees direction and purpose and further the success of the company. Individual or project goals should align with the goals of the company, and you should also give an outline that shows employees how to achieve the goals. - Not Trusting Others
A good leader will know their limitations and be able to recognize and appreciate the experience and expertise in others. If you have hired good workers, you should trust them to know their job. In some cases, a leader is only as good as his or her advisors. - Refusing to Change and Grow
If a business becomes stagnant, it will gradually fail. Technology has impacted every aspect of business, and a good leader will adapt and adjust to make sure they are competing in the global marketplace. Even a small, local business needs to have world-class technology. Change in products, services and other aspects of the company should also be considered to keep existing customers and attract new ones.
