The Coach’s Corner Newsletter #89
There’s something about watching someone drop the ball as a leader that is unsettling.
Whether it’s you, a leader you report to, someone who’s the face of a civic/religious/sports organization or an elected official, that error takes a toll.
You may have heard that Luka Doncic, star extraordinaire of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers over the weekend. Fans and sports broadcasters, not to mention both teams, were stunned. There are all sorts of theories out there as to how this happened, who knew and why? Many are pointing fingers at the Mavs’ leadership – with no clear answer from them, yet.
Leaders I work with know they won’t and don’t get everything right, or that they can please everyone in their org. But they are keenly aware of which mistakes leave their teams in the most disarray. And the best of them know what to do when there is a serious misstep.
Save the date:
Friday, February 28th, 9:00am – 9:30am CT, for my free webinar: “How do you show up?” I can’t wait to meet you! Register here.
THIS WEEK’S INSIGHT
4 major leadership mistakes
When you think of the men and women who’ve led you to achieve the best in your profession, there’s probably a good chance you can also recall when they’ve let you down.
Through conversations with leaders, here’s what they share as their biggest mistakes:
Mistake #1: You don’t listen. You may think you’re listening but consider how you engage with your team. When you don’t listen, you might call a meeting, create an agenda and go through it without asking anyone what their thoughts are. The more you share your ideas, you wind up missing what’s going on around you because you don’t invite engagement. Whether this is intentional or not, you are not listening.
Mistake #2: You think it’s up to you. Because you’re giving your agenda, on point for all you believe is critical, you’ve decided the proposal is up to you. You charge ahead as if your team is unnecessary. The only one you pay attention to is yourself. You may believe this demonstrates your knowledge and strength – but to the room? It’s not well received.
Mistake #3: You’re not clear. Since you’re not paying attention to anyone else in the room, you outline and deliver everything in ‘your’ language. Your directions may be clear to you, but they’re often vague, complicated, inside strategies. This is an outgrowth of not listening and believing it’s all about you. Your vague messaging leaves your team without any clear direction. And when they don’t live up to your expectations, because they didn’t understand your request, the disconnect widens.
Mistake #4: You have weak relationships. Without any interaction and invitation for others to participate, you’re standing alone. You wonder why folks avoid partnering or collaborating with you. The aura you give off is that you don’t care. You can do this on your own, you’re a lone wolf leader. Pretty tough place to be.
THIS WEEK’S TOOL
How to recover from those mistakes
Leaning on the brilliant work/research of leadership consultant, executive coach and psychologist Dr. Samantha Madhosingh, check out, “4 reasons why admitting you are wrong can be a leader’s superpower,” in Forbes.
Her central message is that leaders who admit they’ve made mistakes are more effective than those who try to appear flawless.
This is because when leaders share that they’ve done something incorrectly, they show humility, which is associated with more effective leadership.
Madhosingh offers four reasons why admitting you’re wrong can be your superpower:
Vulnerability is a strength.
Vulnerability is essential because, as well as accepting and sharing the mistakes you make as you make them, it is also beneficial to openly admit your limitations as a leader. By doing so, you can highlight the strengths of others around you. Leaders are not expected to excel at everything – a good leader will build a team of people who complement each other’s skills and deficits.
Seeking feedback is essential
Admitting mistakes positions leaders to receive valuable feedback from team members eager to understand how things went wrong and collaborate on proactive measures to problem solve. By listening to and fully understanding this feedback, leaders can effectively dismantle existing communication barriers within the team.
Transparency builds a culture of trust
By openly admitting errors leaders create a supportive environment where mistakes prompt constructive dialogue instead of fear. This approach demystifies the decision-making process, strengthens team bonds, and encourages active participation in problem-solving.
Learning from mistakes fuels growth
Ultimately, mistakes are inevitable, and everyone makes them. As a leader it is vital to not pretend that you are infallible. You can rebound from setbacks more effectively and support organizational growth by cultivating a mindset that views mistakes as opportunities. Insightful leaders understand that acknowledging their mistakes enhances their credibility and serves as a catalyst for enduring success.
My takeaway
In my ongoing leadership series – I’m inspired by those who lead well, and those who know their mistakes created the space for them to grow.
I’ve been challenged to notice where I can listen better, how to share the state/room/project with others, when I need to be crystal clear in my words, and where I must relate better to those around me.
These are all areas in which I believed I was handling myself well. But frequently I fall short. And when I do, I’m reminded there is a path to the other side. Which begins by admitting my mistake. Full stop.
The quality of a leader is reflected in the standards they set for themselves.
Ray Kroc
Next week: The consequences of leadership mistakes
Save the date:
Friday, February 28th, 9:00am – 9:30am CT, for my free webinar: “How do you show up?” I can’t wait to meet you! Register here.
