Is Being Comfortable Hindering Your Potential As A Leader?
Leaders are ultimately judged on their results. Simple to say but not necessarily easy to accept.
For those who make it into a leadership role, it is often their personal drive, determination, achievement and blend of personal qualities that help them to climb the career ladder.
Once they make it to a senior level something changes. All of a sudden they realise that they are operating in a different landscape. Rather than being the person who can make all the suggestions of what should happen they now see that they are the person who is accountable.
What can easily happen is that all of the qualities and attributes that got them into leadership actually ends up being a barrier to their success.
They start to realise that there are real risks to them keeping their job if they don’t deliver.
In the past this kind of concern would have actually spurned on people to achieve even when there were obstacles.
Now they are almost acting in a way that prevents success.
So what can you do about it?
Recognise You Will Make Mistakes
There really is no guaranteed success formula when it comes to leading. Sometimes you will really get things right. Sometimes you will make mistakes. The important thing is to learn so you don’t repeat mistakes.
Take Decisions
Whenever you take a decision it is a catalyst for action. People will respect you more if you are seen as someone who takes decision and facilitates action.
Make Sure You Build A Team With Different Skills And Qualities
It does not matter how good you are, there are going to be areas where you do better than others and those where you are less effective. The important thing is to make sure you have people around you who excel in those areas where you are not so strong.
Aim To Do Your Best
In any situation all you can do is try to do your best. If you have done that you probably have done as much as you can at that point.
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.