7 Things Good Leaders Don't Do
I've seen a lot of articles and books about how to be a great leader. Personally, I learn better with an example of what not to do. So I've compiled a list of actions to avoid if you're looking to grow into a leadership position- either at work or as the CEO of your own company.
1 | Telling Experts How to Do Their Job
Look, you don’t need to possess every technical skill in the book. Most leaders have more use for soft skills. However, if you are hiring people (whether an agency, an employee, or a contractor) to do a job, then you'd better trust them to do it. There's no faster way to get on someone's bad side than to swoop in and micro-manage, especially in their area of expertise. If you asked for help, let them help you.
2 | Doing a Disappearing Act
Ghosting your team or clients is never a good look. Try to be available as much as you can. That doesn't mean you need to be on call 24/7 of course. Simply set "office hours", preferably during a consistent time or day each week. Timeblock an hour to respond to emails or schedule meetings regarding your project. Having open lines of communication will save you and your team loads of time in the long run.
3 | The Silent Treatment
The opposite extreme of micromanaging is giving little to no direction or feedback. If you can't explain what you're looking for, refer back to the original project brief and mood board. And, remember you don't have to make decisions with your gut. Although creativity seems like some mystical alchemy, the most effective solutions are always based on data first and foremost. So if you're unsure, crunch the numbers, do the research, and always go back to your project bible.
4 | Being Wishy-Washy
"I'm not wishy-washy! Or am I? Hmmm..." Trust me, I totally get this one. I often feel paralyzed by decision fatigue. So what's the trick to snapping out of it? Ask yourself "why" you're stuck, and whether or not this decision is really going to make or break your project. Oftentimes, I find myself obsessing over tiny details, which is only serving to hold me back from my overarching vision. If the choice is really important, give yourself a deadline, weigh the pros and cons once, talk it through with a trusted friend, and then make a choice. Once you do, be like Elsa and let it go. It's not worth losing sleep over.
5 | Throwing Spaghetti
This is a strategy known as 'throwing things at the wall to see if they stick.' In other words- random, unfettered chaos. And it’s not a great tactic, especially if you're leading a team. Instead of haphazardly making things up as you go, try to come up with one big vision. Then chunk that vision down into 3-4 actionable, attainable steps you can take. Be sure to factor feedback into your process- i.e. give your team time to dissect projects and learn from mistakes. That way, even the failed attempts will push the needle forward by simply providing a valuable lesson.
6 | Trying to Do It All
Unfortunately, I learned this one way too late in life, but apparently, people hate a "do-it-all" just as much as a "know-it-all". So what is it? Well, a do-it-all is a person incapable of delegating tasks (Hi, yes, that would be me. Don't be like me!). They try to keep all the work for themselves- sometimes out of a yearning for glory, and sometimes because they're afraid of being a burden by asking for help. If you have a do-it-all in your life, maybe remind them that we exist to help each other out, and it’s okay to share the workload. You're giving others an opportunity to learn and get a slice of glory. So don't feel guilty about delegating.
7 | Keeping Expectations a Secret
I don't have a cute name for this because unspoken expectations are no joke. Whenever projects crash and burn, we can likely trace it back to this one issue. Someone (either a client, a teammate, a boss or a stakeholder) had some expectation that they didn't communicate clearly out the gate. Don't be afraid to be forward. Your expectations are not some dark secret. Everyone likes to see the rubric they're being graded against. That way, we at least have a fighting chance to exceed those expectations.
I hope these examples of “what not to do” come in handy as you navigate your newfound leadership position. The more you practice awareness, the better you’ll be the next go-around. Nearly a decade into my career as a designer, I am only now starting to learn what it truly means to be a great leader. This list makes me appreciate the good ones that much more.
