In business, success or failure is often not a random thing, when you consider there are often causes of leadership mistakes. These are problems that can cast a big shadow over your professional success. The good news is that if you can identify and change these bad habits, then you can increase your effectiveness.
This isn’t a discussion of instances where bad luck, poor timing or a risky gamble were part of a failure. Instead, we’ll focus on how you may have shortchanged yourself during the decision making process.
Studies have found the average adult makes about 35,000 decisions a day. Most you don’t even think twice about. On the job, a few may define your career and you need to get them right.
Consider these tips to help you identify your causes of leadership mistakes:
Poor Listening
When presented with a problem, are you fully listening to the details? This means not talking, until you’ve heard all the facts.
For many, during a busy day, this can be a challenge, as you try to triage problems as quickly as possible. This may allow small problems to be ignored, problems that may grow over time, like a weed.
Finally, have you trained your employees to expect a rushed and possibly grumpy person, when they bring an issue to your attention? Can you commit to focusing, in the moment on the person, before you take on your next challenge?
Empower Employees With Solutions
Are you seen as the only person who can solve a problem? That will see a flood of issues land on your desk and take up a lot of your time. When you’re swamped, it’s more likely an important decision may not receive the attention it deserves.
If you have to be the one who makes decisions, then can you at least require that if a member of your team brings a problem to you, he or she should also bring some potential solutions.
You don’t have to follow the recommendations but it can save you time, in that you don’t have to research everything.
Not Understanding the Situation
Are you being asked to make decisions about situations where you’re missing information or understanding? If you’re not the expert, then dig deeper or find someone who can explain things to you.
You don’t have to know everything but ignoring your blind spots can open the door to problems.
Causes of Leadership Mistakes: Not Enough Time
Whether it’s a deadline or the need to move to the next challenge, you may not have enough time to make smart decisions. Think back over your mistakes and consider if some are rooted in not having enough time to review them.
In today’s world, busy days are par for the course. You can’t prevent unexpected problems from emerging but you can prepare for them.
Build some time, into your daily routine, when you can focus on unexpected issues. Block off 30 minutes on your calendar, so you’re not having to find time when you have to make important decisions.
If no unexpected challenges emerge on that day, then you’ve just gained some time that can be spent in other productive ways.
Ken Okel Performs Virtual Keynotes Too
