Leadership Do's and Dont's

Over the past few days I am sure that you have heard a number of people begin sentences with phrases like, "I've been reflecting over the holidays" or "Having thought about last year..." often followed by their new year resolutions, their master plan for success in 2011, or maybe just some simple common sense observations on what they intend to be better at throughout the coming year. The turn of a new year is a common time for self reflection and affords an opportunity to look forward at ways we can improve ourselves, our skills, our relationships and our performance.

 

Those of us who are leaders of others especially need to reflect on whether the way we lead our team through the coming weeks and months will be effective in delivering our performance goals as a group. To that end here are a few do's and dont's to stimulate our reflection process and help to set a successful leadership course for 2011.

 

Leadership Do's

 

• Lead by example
• Demonstrate high integrity, trust and honesty
• Stay focused on the bigger picture
• Set clear goals and monitor progress
• Be accountable
• Take control without being controlling
• Treat people as individuals
• Recognise strengths in others and use them accordingly
• Listen and empathise
• Be proactive - take ownership to make a difference
• Believe in change - be an agent for change
• Seek feedback from and learn from others
• Be adaptable
• Accept challenge
• Create a team of “leaders” not “followers”

 

Leadership Dont's

 

• Don’t say one thing and do another
• Don’t get bogged down in day to day issues
• Don’t make or tolerate excuses
• Don’t focus on task over culture
• Don’t just count the ‘widgets’
• Don’t criticise
• Don’t mock or disregard any ideas or suggestions
• Don’t forget the power of a great team
• Don’t avoid the difficult conversations
• Don’t settle into a “comfort zone”
• Don’t get distracted
• Don’t react negatively under pressure
• Don't always accept things the way they are – challenge the status quo
• Don’t tolerate destructive comments or behaviours