Bad habits come naturally. You work to develop productive patterns.
“Most leaders don’t need to learn what to do. They need to learn what to stop.” Peter Drucker
4 Bad habits the Worst Leaders Love:
#1. Being right.
Everyone is afflicted with the burden of knowledge. You believe you’re right. You’re judging these sentences as if you know more than me. I have surrendered to the obvious truth. You can’t be right when you disagree with me.
If only we knew as much as Aristotle who said, “The only thing I know is that I know nothing.”
Danger: People stop thinking when leaders always know.
Tip: Say, “That’s a great idea. Why don’t you go make that happen?”
Tip: Seek advice from people higherup.
#2. Feathering your nest at the expense of others.
Zeal to advantage yourself at the expense of others fosters self-protective teams.
- You gain disrespect when you kiss butt to get ahead.
- Enlightened self-interest suggests that advantaging others is a way to advantage yourself.
- Don’t sacrifice your future on the altar of serving.
Don’t be a martyr.
Danger: People serve themselves when you persistently serve yourself.
Tip: Think of ways to advantage others every time you feel zeal to advantage yourself.
#3. Pulling away when you don’t get your way.
Never stand aloof when your idea loses. Your career stalls when you can’t help others succeed.
Danger: The person who pulls away is trying to get their own way.
Tip: Row hard for other people’s projects. Pour into others before asking them to pour into you.
#4. Intimidating people into compliance.
Compliance only works when you’re in the room.
Boldness enables high performance. People never bring their best when they tip-toe around intimidating bosses.
Danger: Intimidation makes people timid.
Tip: Respect and recognition elevate boldness.
What bad habits can you add to this list?
Still curious:
The Top Ten Toxic Behaviors of Lousy Leaders
Lust for Skittles and Other Bad Habits
14 bad habits leaders can pass on to their teams – The Business Journals
Things people are saying about The Vagrant: The Inner Journey of Leadership.
John David Mann and I invite you to check out our new book, The Vagrant: The Inner Journey of Leadership.