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Overcoming Obstacles - 5 Barriers to Great Leadership
By VICKY BROWN
Whether you’re just starting your leadership journey or you’ve been in a leadership role for years, it’s always good to take a step back and reflect on areas where we might be falling short. So, let’s jump right in.
The first thing that can really hold someone back from being a great leader is a lack of confidence. This is something I’ve seen time and time again, and I’ve even experienced it myself.
When you’re in a leadership position, you’re often faced with tough decisions and challenging situations. If you don’t have confidence in yourself and your abilities, it can be really hard to step up and take charge when it matters most.
Now, a lot of people struggle with something called imposter syndrome. That’s where you feel like you’re not really qualified for your position, and you’re just waiting for someone to figure out that you don’t belong there. This can be especially common when you’re new to a leadership role or when you’ve recently been promoted.
The problem is, this lack of confidence can hold you back from taking on new challenges or accepting praise when you’ve done a good job. It can make you hesitate when you need to be decisive, and it can undermine your authority with your team.
So, if you find yourself struggling with confidence, it’s important to work on building it up. That might mean seeking out mentorship, working with a coach, or simply practicing positive self-talk. Remember, you’re in your position for a reason, and you have valuable skills and experiences to bring to the table.
The second thing that can hold someone back from being a great leader is micromanagement. Are you a leader who tries to control every little detail of their team’s work, rather than trusting them to handle things on their own.
Now, I get it. When you’re responsible for the success of a project or a team, it can be tempting to want to oversee every aspect. But here’s the thing: micromanagement can be really damaging to your team, and your effectiveness as a leader.
When you micromanage, you’re essentially telling your team that you don’t trust them to do their jobs well. This can be incredibly demoralizing. It can stifle creativity and initiative, because people feel like they can’t make decisions or try new approaches without your approval.
“…When you micromanage, you’re essentially telling your team that you don’t trust them to do their jobs well. This can be incredibly demoralizing. It can stifle creativity and initiative,…“
Moreover, micromanagement is exhausting for you as a leader. You can’t possibly keep track of every detail in every project, and trying to do so will leave you overwhelmed and stressed.
Instead, focus on setting clear expectations and goals, and then trust your team to figure out the best way to meet those goals. It not only frees up your time to focus on bigger picture issues, but it also helps your team members grow and develop their own skills.
The third potential roadblock to great leadership is poor communication skills. Communication is absolutely crucial in leadership. You need to be able to clearly articulate your vision, give feedback, and keep your team informed and aligned.
Poor communication can lead to misunderstandings, missed deadlines, and a general lack of direction for your team. It can also make it hard for you to build strong relationships with your team members, and having strong relationships is essential for effective leadership.
One key aspect of good communication is adaptability. Different people respond to different communication styles, so as a leader, you need to be able to adapt your approach based on who you’re talking to and what the situation calls for.
This might mean being more direct with some team members and more nurturing with others. It might mean using visual aids in some presentations and storytelling in others. The key is to be flexible and always strive for clarity in your communication.
The fourth thing that can hold someone back from being a great leader is a lack of integrity. Integrity is all about being honest, ethical, and consistent in your words and actions.
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When a leader lacks integrity, it erodes trust within the team. If your team members can’t trust you to do the right thing or to follow through on your commitments, they’re not going to be fully engaged or committed to their work.
Integrity also involves admitting when you’ve made a mistake. No leader is perfect, and trying to cover up errors or blame others will only damage your credibility. Instead, own up to your mistakes, learn from them, and show your team that it’s okay to be human.
Remember, as a leader, you set the tone for your entire team. If you demonstrate high integrity, your team is more likely to follow suit, creating a culture of trust and ethical behavior.
The fifth and final point … apathy and reactiveness. Great leaders are proactive and passionate about their work. If you’re apathetic or constantly in reactive mode, it’s going to hold you back from being truly effective.
Apathy in leadership can be contagious. If you don’t seem to care about the work or the team’s goals, why should your team members care? It leads to a lack of motivation and engagement across the board.
By the same token, being reactive rather than proactive means you’re always playing catch-up. Instead of anticipating challenges and planning for the future, you’re constantly putting out fires and dealing with crises as they arise.
To be a great leader, you need to be passionate about your work and your team’s mission. You need to think ahead, plan strategically, and take initiative to drive positive change.
So there you have it – five things that can hold you back from being a great leader: lack of confidence, micromanagement, poor communication skills, lack of integrity, and apathy or reactiveness.
By being aware of these potential pitfalls, you can work on improving in these areas and become a more effective leader. Remember, leadership is a journey, not a destination. We’re all constantly learning and growing.
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