5 experiences working with leaders who missed the mark.

Part 1 of 2

I gleaned some of my biggest life and leadership lessons in how they made me feel during these moments. I promised myself when I had the chance to lead individuals/teams I would try to avoid these pitfalls.

I’m FAR from perfect, but here’s some of my north stars from my experiences over the years.

1. time away means giving people time away.

Awaiting the birth of our child and having to try and respond to “URGENT” emails. BRUTAL feeling. Felt the need to respond because the norm was responding even on vacation, PTO, home sick, or heaven forbid, your wife giving birth to your child.

Establish a culture where time away is encouraged! Things can wait.

2. micromanagement, fear, and trust issues are KILLER

In my mid 20’s, I worked for an individual who just started a new business and desperately wanted it to succeed. She’d ask about my time, almost daily 1:1’s, an even pulling up a chair behind me for a few weeks. Makes someone feel so incompetent. Lack of faith and fear imparted on entire team was paralyzing.

Give people the keys to the car and give them every opportunity to succeed with your support and guidance. If they make mistakes, GREAT! Lean into the struggles, together. Don’t leave someone on an island but know when to support and when to take a backseat and let someone else drive.

3. leaking/sharing privileged information

I was going through a very difficult time in my life and shared with my superior. Unfortunately, the information that I shared in confidence turned into the “happenings” around the place of work.

When someone shares private and confidential information with you, treat it as such. If someone feels comfortable enough to share the deep life happenings they are going through, feel privileged to listen and support and provide any resources for your teammate(s).

4. Give away as much credit as you can instead of stealing it

I was working for a company where I just wrapped up a team project after 3 months.

Instead of acknowledging the hard work and effort of the individuals (me/team) that did all the work, my superior presented like an individual effort for the project accomplishments. It was so hurtful.

Simply, don’t take credit for something that you didn’t do and claim it as yours. Rather, “my teammates have been hard at work at X for months, and employee A did amazing job guiding with this endeavor”.

5. don’t sell the dream to someone to leave a few months later

Who has been sold a position at a company from an inspirational leader only to know they were planning to move on? Leader seemed amazing. Told me about all the things happening in the future.

60-90 days later…poof, Gone. I felt stuck carrying the bag, alone. It was a terrible feeling.

Do you share similar experiences on your journey?

Can you relate? Learning lessons that made you, you?

Part I. Be on the lookout for Part II