Lousy leaders

Michael Hyatt once tweeted " These top-ten characteristics of lousy leaders are all traits to avoid - or unlearn if you already have trouble with them."

The top - ten characteristics are as follows with slight excerpts not necessarily full renditions and some of my own commentary in how any of this relates to me.

1. They don't have enough confidence to lead at their level. Someone who has no faith in their decisions.

This is me. I don't have enough confidence in myself and my capabilities. Why? That's a million dollar question there. There are certain things in life that I have full faith in and when someone questions those abilities I get really hot over it and very defensive. However, those are instances generally when I am working for someone else and have a play book to follow. When the game is personal, that's when things get a bit shaky and I am unsure of the foundation I laid under my feet. I seem to have friends that are more confident in my abilities then I do in myself. Obviously if I inspire other's to have confidence in me then I should have more confidence in myself. So then what's my issue and how do I go about fixing it?

2. They're arrogant, assuming they always know what's best. It takes confidence to lead. It also takes humility. Many leaders think they're confident when they're just pigheaded and proud.

Are these people Leo's by chance? All kidding aside I know a few.

3. They're disorganized.

I am very organized, I got that going for me.

4. Their words and actions erode trust, even with their supporters. You can't count on them as a direct report.

I have many people that seem to feel they can count on me, I'd really like to figure out what words and actions I use that creates this trust. Having that knowledge is like a currency in and of it self.

5. They over - promise and under - deliver. This one affects more than just politicians. People leading up in an organization often do this because they are trying to impress those above them, failing to realize that by under - delivering they are shooting themselves in the foot. And people at the top fall into the trap by overusing promises as a way to ensure team loyalty.

I have a tendency to try to impress people. I like to feel important. I don't think that I am important - or important enough, so I do or say things to feel important. I tend to do this by over promising on things that I can do for someone else. Knowing ones limitations is something that is key in any leader and something I need to come to better terms with myself.

I realized recently that I can not fail. I have too many people counting on me to fail. I also realized something critical, I realized that part of my over promising isn't because I can't do something it's due to my lacking in confidence in myself No. 1. That lack in confidence in myself creates fear of failing at something before I have even tried.

I decided recently to go with the concrete decision of why not. Every time I feel fear creeping up on me I will ask myself why not. Honestly what is the worst that could happen if I tried. If I try and I fail, well at least I tried. And that is the key - it is better to regret what I have done then to wonder what if I tried.

6. They don't articulate a clear vision. No one wants to follow in the dark. It's impossible to motivate people who feel in a fog.

I have an ability to articulate someone else's vision more then I can my own. This again comes back to No. 1, a lacking in confidence in my own vision - in my own self. I seek validation and have a want to feel important and fear sharing my visions which comes with someone else critiquing my ideas. Someone with more confidence wouldn't care about the criticism because they would be sure of their vision. Do we see a pattern here?

7. They don't enroll others in their initiatives. No.7 is related to No. 6. Some leaders expect people will follow them just because of their position. Wrong. If a leader can't enroll others, failure looms.

I don't expect anyone to follow me, in fact I am quite shocked when people automatically follow me and often wonder what it was that I did to inspire such actions.

8. They are not transparent. Openness encourages honesty.

I think my problem here lies more in that I am too honest and open.

9. They're blind to what's happening in their own organizations. Insulation is fine for the walls of your house, but not for leadership. To lead requires visibility. Without it, you'll find yourself blindsided and making major blunders.

10. They don't hold people accountable - especially themselves. If a leader avoids responsibility and won't hold their team accountable, they'll shipwreck the organization. Accountability is essential.

I admit to letting myself off the hook too much. Responsibility and accountability are key factors and things that need more practice.

Pick your crisis and you'll usually find one of these ten traits of lousy leadership in action, often many of them all at once. Bad leadership traits go together.

If you see any of these in your leadership, now's the time to deal with it. Your dreams and goals are too important to undermine. It's hard enough to succeed as a leader without being your own worst enemy.

Reading this article I have confirmed yet again something that I already knew - that I am my own worst enemy. I lack confidence, over promise, don't articulate my vision clearly, lack confidence in my vision, and I do not hold myself accountable or responsible enough.

Admitting your faults is one of the first steps to overcoming them. Now on to something a bit harder which is figuring out a plan to overcome these things.