A recent leadership article highlighted key points I thought were well worth sharing. Many leaders unknowingly fail their teams, creating environments where employees feel miserable, ignored, or under-resourced. This is counterproductive to nurturing a successful team.
Common Leadership Pitfalls
1. Inappropriate Direction and Support: Striking the right balance between micromanaging and under-communicating is crucial. Too much oversight can stifle autonomy, while too little guidance can leave team members feeling lost and inadequate.
2. Overreliance on Power: Using positional power undermines motivation and stifles innovation. It promotes a culture of fear where employees follow orders without question, even when decisions are flawed.
3. Assuming Knowledge of Team Members’ Motivations: Making assumptions about what motivates team members without actually asking them. Understanding individual needs is essential to provide appropriate support.
Improving Leadership Skills
To enhance leadership effectiveness and maximise team potential, consider the following strategies:
1. Develop Individual Skills: Focus on both your leadership abilities and the skills of each team member. Create personalised development plans to address specific needs and strengths. Determine who can work independently and who requires more guidance.
2. Promote Ownership and Learning: Encourage team members to take ownership of their tasks, allowing them to learn from their mistakes. Provide a supportive environment where questions are welcomed, and necessary resources are readily available.
3. Foster Independence: Develop your team’s problem-solving skills by modelling effective strategies and then challenging them to find solutions. Instead of providing answers, ask for their opinions to encourage critical thinking and accountability.
The Challenge of Time
Finding the time to develop your team can be challenging, as it’s often quicker to be directive. However, merely managing tasks rather than fostering growth leads to over-reliance on you. True leadership involves investing in your team’s development, therefore creating a more autonomous and effective workforce.
Roger Simpson – CEO, The Retail Solution and Author of “The Ultimate Retail Sales Experience” With over 35 years’ industry experience, Roger Simpson is recognized as Australia’s #1 Authority on customer ROI in the retail industry and as a global expert on staff coaching, customer service, and selling skills.
