Three Signs of Leadership Failure
New York Times best-selling author Anthony Tjan revealed in his popular book Good People: The Only Leadership Decision That Really Matters that "65 percent of working Americans would prefer a new boss to a pay raise." Think about that. Statistically speaking, more people care about that relationship than their salary.
That said, it's not surprising that one of the main reasons people leave their jobs is because they don't like their boss. So if you want to improve as a boss, and as a leader, recognize where you’re falling short.
Here are some of the telltale signs of leadership failure. Maybe none of these sound like you, but they might give you a better idea of what kinds of behaviors to avoid.
Signs of Leadership Failure
Putting the Mission First and the People Second. Good leaders understand that people come first, while poor leaders reverse the sequence and put the mission first. Declaring your company's mission and strictly adhering to it is an important first step; no one refutes this. But instead of appreciating the mission’s impact on your direct reports—which almost always leads to better outcomes—you start to issue “because I said so” orders, which isn’t exactly inspiring.
Ignoring Difficult Conversations. Nobody enjoys having tough conversations. But when you’re a leader, they come with the territory. When conflict or tension arises, approach the situation swiftly by having a concise, clear, and empowering conversation. Even though it might be awkward, you're bound to add another layer of respect by being open and honest. Ignoring these difficult conversations never makes problems go away.
Misidentifying Your Role. Leaders frequently get to where they are because of how they performed in their previous role. But sometimes they end up reverting back to the tasks they performed in their previous role because that’s what got them promoted. Instead of coaching and guiding their direct reports, they take matters into their own hands. Good leaders, however, understand their new role and focus on the responsibilities associated with it, letting their team do the jobs they were hired to do.
Former business leader and Army veteran Babe Kwasniak said "The Army taught me leadership is everything. Soldiers would rather be in Baghdad working for someone they respect and they know cares for them than in Hawaii for a jerk who doesn't."
How would those that work under you describe your leadership? Would they say you prioritize the mission over them? Or that you avoid difficult conversations? Would they argue that you know your role, and theirs?
Whether or not these signs feel applicable to your current job or not, recognizing where leadership failure can occur is a wise thing to consider. Set the standard, because you are the standard.