5 Truths About Leading and Managing Others

From the outside looking in, leading and managing can seem really easy.  How many times have you heard people who are not leading or managing anyone talk about how they could do a much better job?  Probably quite a few if you have been around in organisations for some time.  The reality is that when it is done well, leading and managing others can appear easy.  On the other hand what are 5 truths you need to keep at the forefront of your mind?

 

Truth 1: It is a lonely existence

 

When your role involves delivering results with fewer and fewer resources and lots of people with differing agendas, leading and managing can sometimes be quite a lonely existence.  After all there are always people senior to you with expectations as well as those that you lead or manage.  It can sometimes feel like you don’t have anyone to turn to.  This is why it is vital to build up some sort of support network.

 

Truth 2: Every choice will be unpopular with someone

 

People know on some level that you need to weigh up the options in each situation and take on balance what seems like the best decision from the choices available.  Despite this they will still react with some form of resistance in some cases when things do not go their way.  To address this cut yourself some slack and recognise you cannot please everyone all of the time.

 

Truth 3: People have short memories

 

You might have been the model boss for the last two years but you go through a sticky patch when you are struggling to get folks on board and move things forward.  Superiors in particular often have short memories so make sure that when your performance is being reviewed a balanced picture is presented.

 

Truth 4: You will mess it up at times

 

Every single one of us makes mistakes from time.  Few of these are terminal and it is important not to let mistakes stop you from taking balanced risks in the knowledge that you will sometimes get it wrong.  Clean up the mess, reflect and learn and then move on.  You cannot change the past but you can influence the future.

 

Truth 5: You are leading and managing for a reason

 

You were promoted into a leadership and management role because people believed that you had something to offer, not because they wanted to be nice to you and do you a favour.  When self doubt appears remind yourself of all the brilliant things you do and focus on looking for ways to do even better.

 

Bottom Line- Leading and managing is challenging but don’t let temporary setbacks get in the way of your long term success.

 

 

 

Duncan Brodie of Goals and Achievements helps accountants and health professionals to become highly effective leaders and managers.  For more information click here

About the Author Duncan Brodie

Since 2006 I’ve worked with in excess of 8,000 accountants and professionals in workshops, seminars and one to one helping them land their next jobs and become better leaders, presenters and business partners. Before that I spent 25 years in accountancy climbing the career ladder from Payments Clerk to FD. I’m a CIMA Fellow, Certified Professional Coach and Team Coach Facilitator.

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12 comments
Paul Slater says 18 January 2010

Duncan, These 5 truths ring oh so true for me. It’s good to see a little common sense on the difficulties of leadership written down and especially useful as notes of caution for new leaders – you won’t keep everyone happy and you will make mistakes, even if you don’t realise it at the time.

Thanks for this.

Paul

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Bluehost Review says 31 October 2010

This was a fantastic read, thanks for sharing it.

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