Do you have an idea of some of the 7 activities leaders avoid? In a previous blog, What Makes a Leader Attractive? I outlined a few characteristics of successful leaders. But what makes someone unattractive as a leader? What should people in leadership avoid? Regardless of your position, title, or role, if people don’t want to follow you of their own accord, you’re not a leader. A leader has followers — do you?
7 Activities Leaders Avoid
1. Finger-pointing
One of the quickest and surest ways to lose followers is to finger point. Even if it’s warranted, it will not solve anything. Rather than finger point – find solutions. If someone requires a critique, do it privately and make it a teaching opportunity. Take the emotions out of it, and don’t make it personal. It’s not who’s right. It’s what’s right. The only person, a leader, should point fingers at is themselves.
2. Self-serving
Leadership is service. True leaders take on the responsibility of serving others. Anyone who accepts a leadership role strictly for personal gain is doomed to fail. The success of those who enjoy helping others is measured by the followers they serve.
3. Playing Games
Political maneuvering, pitting one against the other, and withholding information are not games followers enjoy. Those who are not forthright, honest, and open will not gain followers.
4. Creating Drama
There’s enough real-life drama in the world without creating more. Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill. Not everything is urgent, and if you make it so, you become the boy who cried wolf. People seldom follow those who create and are surrounded by drama.
5. Negative no-saying
If you tell others what can’t be done, that’s what will happen. Those who are quick to point out the downside become energy vampires draining the drive out of teams. Followers don’t want to hear what’s bad or wrong constantly.
6. Not making decisions
Leaders are not wishy-washy; they make decisions based on the best information available and lead others in their vision.
7. Showing anger
If you want to lose followers, get mad at them. Bullying will only push them away from you. It’s never worked in leadership, and while it was more prominent in the past, it’s no longer acceptable. Hold it in, don’t do it, or don’t try to lead.
I’ve Done all 7 Activities Leaders Avoid
This post was easy for me to write because I’ve done every single one of these at one time or another. You can be like me and learn these 7 activities leaders avoid the hard way, or you take the lesson from me and strive to avoid these 7 activities. Believe me. The latter is easier.
How Can I Help You?
I like to help people and organizations, but I have three criteria I consider before taking an assignment – I believe in what the organization stands for, I know I can help, and it looks like fun. If you have any questions, Contact Me.
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Photo by Nong Vang on Unsplash
