Dark Side of Leadership: 5 Behaviours Every Leader Should Avoid
There is no doubt that leadership is hard work. A good leader should always think one step ahead, bring innovation, encourage communication between team members… and the list goes on and on.
It’s not easy to keep up with high expectations that come with the leadership role. There are people and circumstances that may hold a good leader back, but it often happens that talented leaders sabotage themselves and become their own worst enemies.
Here are five ways leaders sabotage themselves and what you can do to avoid these destructive behaviours.
1. Overcontrolling
Always remember that being in control and being a control freak are two different things. You don’t want to overcontrol because the more control you take, the less influence you have.
2. Seizing power
When you’re in a leadership role, it’s easy to make other people feel powerless. The more power you have, the more exciting you feel. However, being a great leader means that you don’t abuse your power. Instead, you use it to get the best of yourself and those you work with.
3. Competing with team members
There is no need to compete with the team just to test your prowess and claim your superiority (especially when you’re the one who’s in control of all resources). Step back and let you team members win. When they win, you win.
4. Pretending you know better
As a leader, you’re supposed to be in touch with the situation and know all important details. But it doesn’t mean your opinion is the only right one. Remember to listen to others and learn from them.
5. Not recognising your mistakes
You may think that being a leader means being flawless and impeccable. But we all make mistakes. If we don’t, then we aren’t trying enough new things outside our comfort zone, and that itself is a mistake. Recognise your mistakes, learn from them and move forward.
To summarize
Great leaders are never threatened that other people may know better or have better ideas. Great leaders recognise that they can’t reach their goals alone. They inspire people to follow them, empower others and raise even more leaders. And this is one of the best parts of their challenging but exciting job.
