You can try and fail one or two times. But, persistent failure – in the same area – signals incompetence.
Everyone who gets ahead establishes a track record of reliability.
You can’t be trusted if you keep falling short.
Lose trust – lose leadership.
10 phrases incompetent leaders keep saying:
- I can’t.
- I don’t know how.
- I’m over-committed.
- I need to do less.
- I’m doing too much.
- I don’t have time.
- I didn’t get to it.
- My team fell short.
- I hope to do better.
- I’m not good at ….
Recurring use of “incompetent phrases” reflects lack of ownership and responsibility.
Weakness whines. Leaders act.
- Stop talking.
- Seek advice.
- Take action.
- Reflect and repeat.
10 ways to rise:
- Remember that recurring failure disadvantages others. You matter more than you think. You damage your team’s reputation, too.
- Be proactive. Go to the boss before she comes to you. “I’m concerned about meeting this deadline.”
- Don’t pretend you’ve done more than you have. “I ordered the parts but they didn’t come in,” is a half truth, if you ordered them late. People see you blowing smoke and learn not to trust you.
- Press forward aggressively. Never begin a sentence with, “I’m waiting for ….” Instead, say, “I’m trying this.”
- Ask for help. People enjoy helping, if you’ve done your best and fallen short. But, people never enjoy doing your job for you.
- Learn from people who are succeeding where you’re failing. They’re success may irritate you. Get over it.
- Reflect on your passion. Do you love what you do? Or, are you doing things just to please others.
- Own it?
- Surround yourself with talent.
- Start again.
What might leaders do when they persistently find themselves falling short?
Project: Everyone has areas of incompetence. Make a list of three ways you can deal with one of your areas of incompetence. Show it to a trusted colleague. Take action.