Top ten reasons why leaders fail

Leaders' capacity to motivate and guide their teams is crucial to the success of any organisation, but even the best of them can come unstuck. Here are the top 10 most common mistakes leaders make:

Lack of Trust - Leaders who have trouble earning and keeping the trust and loyalty of their teams may struggle to achieve their organisational objectives. Transparency, consistency and fulfilling promises are keys to success in this regard.

Lack of Character - Leaders are expected to make moral choices in addition to practical ones. Character flaws can poison the workplace and undermine an organisation from the inside out, so keep your moral bearings and act accordingly.

Lack of Vision - Develop a compelling vision to serve as a compass for your team. Communicate this vision often to build a sense of purpose and direction. Do not borrow someone else’s vision.

Lack of Communication - If leaders can't get their messages across, their teams will be less effective. Encourage free-flowing dialogue, pay close attention to one another, and offer constructive criticism to keep everyone on the same page.

Lack of Accountability - Leaders who lack accountability run the danger of encouraging complacency among their teams. Create an atmosphere of accountability by setting specific goals, encouraging individual accountability, and resolving problems quickly and sticking to them.

Lack of Self-Awareness - Leaders who are not aware of their own limitations may have trouble meeting the demands of their teams. Maintain a habit of self-reflection and openness to constructive criticism and development.

Lack of Humility - Team members may become disgruntled if their leader is arrogant or resistant to criticism. Maintain a humble attitude, admit when you’re wrong, and work to make everyone around you feel like they matter.

Lack of Flexibility - Leaders who are resistant to change may see their companies fall behind in the marketplace. Adopt a flexible mindset, monitor market shifts, and be prepared to adjust course as needed.

Lack of Empowerment - Inadequate team empowerment stunts development and innovation. Promote an environment that rewards initiative and respects alternative points of view. Teams with more autonomy tend to be more effective, innovative and engaged.

Lack of Self-Care - If leaders don't take care of themselves, they'll eventually burn out and be less effective. Take care of yourself first so that you can continue to have the stamina and resolve to be an effective leader.

Being a great leader is about always pushing yourself to become a better person. Leaders may steer their organisations toward long-term success by avoiding these pitfalls and focusing instead on developing inspired and engaged teams.

For more on these leadership mistakes, contact Rowan at [email protected]