10 Ways to be a Mature Leader Even if You’re Young
I just got home from a conversation about maturity with some really smart college students. This post is inspired by our conversation.
10 expressions of immaturity:
- Don’t realize or don’t care that their behaviors have negative consequences for teammates.
- Won’t make commitments. Commitment requires responsibility, something immaturity can’t tolderate.
- Repeat ineffective behaviors, while hoping to achieve better results.
- Say things like, “Deal with it,” and, “I don’t care what you think.”
- Break promises. Immaturity and unreliability are bedfellows.
- Always know the right thing to do.
- Reject wise counsel.
- Focus on serving themselves, even if others suffer.
- Create drama. Everything’s a crisis to the immature.
- Repeat the past because they don’t learn from it.
5 things immature leaders end up saying:
- I didn’t mean to hurt you.
- I didn’t realize this would impact your area.
- Get over it.
- I’m right.
- What’s wrong with you?
Mature leaders:
- Maintain perspective. Solve drama, rather than create turmoil. Don’t turn molehills into mountains.
- Press through setbacks and obstacles. Maturity is the result of endurance.
- Continue striving for excellence, even after achieving excellence.
- Seek input and listen to suggestions. Mature leaders ask, “What do you think.” Babies need their own way.
- Admit failures without making excuses.
- Appreciate and honor mentors, coaches, and advisers.
- Let go past failures and offenses. Mature leaders don’t circle black-holes. Never allow the past to define your future, especially if it’s dark.
- Rise to service quickly and freely.
- Commit to learning, unlearning, and relearning.
- Aggressively face forward.
Immature leaders circle the past. Mature leaders always press into the future.
What are the fundamental marks of mature leadership?
Which of the 10 marks of mature leadership seem most important to you?
Wow, I really liked this one. Encouraging, correcting, and confirming all in one for a maturing leader.
Thanks for sharing.
All 10 marks define mature leadership. Mature Leaders define the impossible and get things done.
Wow this post much insight as a young leader
Wow learned how to change my behavior and act as a mature leader.
#4: Seek input and listen to suggestions. Mature leaders ask, “What do you think.”
Diversity makes team stronger. There’s where magic happens. I’d add where possible leave/give leadership to the ‘member’ who suggested the ‘best’ idea/solution.
Thanks Dan for great conversation summary. Great points.
A well compiled list! However, we believe that maturity has more often than not nothing to do with youth. There have been many cases of young people behaving with more wisdom and maturity than senior people.
Commit to learning, unlearning, and relearning. Could not have said it better. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it, is ok but if we can learn a better way or improve what we do; why not? Looking to improve what we do is not a negative, except to those who are in a comfort zone and want to stay there. The future need not apply!
I like “honoring mentors, etc.” One of my biggest professional regrets is not keeping up with those that helped me along the way 🙁
My favorite…Commit to learning, unlearning, and relearning…reminds me of one of my favorite quotes…”Blessed is the LEARNER for he shall inherit the earth; while the LEARNED will find themselves beautifully equipped to cope with a world that no longer exists.”
Good stuff! Love learning, unlearning and relearning. So true! To be a good leader, you must be a mature leader, no matter your age! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Wow this was a real interesting read. Thank you!