There are different types of leadership styles. Some leaders are outspoken, while some are soft-spoken. Some leaders are more creative, while others are more strategic.
Regardless of the style of leadership, here is a list of things that great leaders never do.
They do not fear the success of others
True leaders want the people around them to achieve success. They don’t get intimidated and worry about their status. Instead, they motivate others to be successful while working on their own goals. (See Related: Top 6 Traits That Show You’re an Entrepreneur)
They do not lack clarity on their goals
Leaders have a clear vision of their goals. They know what they want to achieve and how to work their way to it. Having said that, they are also able to share their goals clearly to their followers.
They do not say yes to everything
Great leaders know when to say no, and they can confidently do so. Leadership is not saying yes to everything, it also means refusing things that do not contribute to success.
Leadership is not about people-pleasing. Leaders don’t sacrifice their own values to gain the approval of others.
They do not refuse feedback
Feedback is important in recognizing areas for improvement. True leaders know that they are not perfect and see the value of feedback. For them, it is a learning opportunity.
At the same time, great leaders know how to give feedback to their team whether it’s positive or negative.
They do not avoid relationship-building
Leadership is about relationships. It is important to build relationships with team members and clients. When you don’t, you fail to know how you can motivate your team.
When you don’t build your relationship with your customers, you won’t be able to connect with them to understand their needs.
They do not hide from their mistakes and make excuses
Accountability is an important value in leadership. It means taking responsibility for your work and its results. Leaders don’t hide when they make mistakes.
They don’t pass the blame on to other people or make up excuses. Instead, they take ownership and action.
They do not refuse to listen
The fastest way to break up a team or an organization is by refusing to listen to other people. Being open to listening is important in effective communication. It is not a sign of weak leadership.
When a leader prefers their ego over listening, they miss valuable insight and perspective. It also pushes away other people. Eventually, they may end up losing team members.
They do not micromanage
Trust is an important value. It is being able to delegate tasks to constituents without worry.
Good leaders avoid micromanaging: watching every step, asking for frequent updates, dictating, and even taking control. They know that it can cause stress and frustration among teams. It can negatively affect productivity.
They do not believe that they are always right
Ineffective leaders believe that they are always right. This means that they refuse other insights and label them as wrong. This is very dangerous because it can hinder creativity and innovation in the workplace.
Successful leaders empower other people and build genuine connections with them. They don’t let their ego get in the way and let fear drive them. Instead, they are open to learning and gaining new perspectives, while remaining loyal to their goals.
