Around 71 percent of Americans can’t find the TV remote. Is it under the couch? On the bookshelf? Who knows. That’s just one of the things we often misplace. We lose keys, wallets, and smartphones all the time. About 69% of Americans have reported finding a lost item while searching for another. Maybe we’re absentminded. Maybe just inconsistent. Either way, it seems we lose the things we use most often.
Nobody likes to lose stuff, but leaders should consider doing without certain things. No, I’m not talking about phone chargers. I’m talking about things that are harmful. Leaders are constantly saying and doing things that undercut their ability to lead well. The tricky part is that we’d probably cut these characteristics of a bad leader, but they’re stuck in our blind spots. Next time you’re looking for your glasses, consider what you can trim to become a better leader. If you need a headstart, here are 5 things leaders should lose.
1. Ego
Good leaders should elevate everyone around them. They see the best in their team members and don’t put themselves ahead of others. If you have an ego, you make reaching that goal much harder. People don’t like being around leaders who are full of themselves, think they are better than others, or only consider their own interests. Putting yourself at the center of every conversation is one of the characteristics of a bad leader.
It’s far better to have humility. Even if you are great at what you do, it’s not all about you. Build people up with your words and leave room for others to excel. Suppress the urge to make things about you. The people you’re leading will want to be around you more and will respect you for seeing everyone as equals. Acknowledge that everyone on your team has something they can contribute, and that means each person plays a key role.
2. Total Control
You can thank Steve Jobs for the iPhone. You can also thank him for learning to let go of control. Jobs was ousted from Apple in 1985 because he refused to relinquish control. He micromanaged people, centralized decisions, and alienated capable executives. He was brilliant, but nobody wanted him around because he gripped control so tightly. When he did return to Apple, he delegated much more effectively, which contributed to the company’s massive success. When he allowed others into the process, collaboration led to innovation.
The same goes for you. Total control is another one of the characteristics of a bad leader because it often leads to pressure, poor outcomes, and division. Leaders should respect others and confidently hand off important tasks. Don’t be the adult version of that kid who wouldn’t let anyone else participate in the school project for fear that they’d “mess it up.” Trust the people on your team. You picked them because you saw their skills and potential. Allow them to succeed or fail. It’s when we let go of control that people feel freed up to innovate and achieve great things.
3. Sensitivity
Being sensitive is good. Leaders should be understanding, caring, and accommodating. But it’s not good to be so sensitive that you’re easily pushed off course by the people you’re serving. That derails projects, shortens progress, and undermines your ability to steer the ship effectively as a leader.
Part of being a leader is knowing that, despite your best efforts, you probably won’t make everyone happy. You’ll make decisions that are not popular. You will be criticized and questioned for them. Sometimes to your face. Sometimes behind your back. Good leaders should expect it and prepare for it by growing a thick skin. Sensitivity can be an ally but also a snare. Be careful not to be easily tossed around by differing opinions. Judge carefully and be wise.
4. Carelessness
Before getting on a plane, pilots comb through their pre-flight checklist. The wings are examined. The doors and windows must open and close safely. The wheels can’t be loose. This check must be done every time before firing up the engine. Will the plane still fly if pilots ignore the checklist? Probably. But imagine you’re a passenger on a small plane and notice that the pilot failed to examine it. Do you feel safe? Carelessness erodes trust on the runway and in every other setting.
When leaders become careless, it invites skepticism. It paints you as unreliable and cavalier. Leaders shouldn’t make hasty decisions. Carelessness is also one of the characteristics of a bad leader because it leads to mistakes. When leaders embrace details, protocols, and intentionality, they endear themselves to others. When they fail to do that, they put distance between themselves and the people they’re leading. Carelessness is disrespectful. Reject it.
5. Irritability
If you’re easily bothered and make little things into big things, you’re irritable. That’s a characteristic of a bad leader, not a composed one. Having a low threshold for frustration works against you as a leader because the people around you will think they can never be open about things. They’ll know that anything that’s remotely bothersome may set you off. If you snap at small requests, are constantly impatient, or have outsized reactions to problems, you’ll earn the reputation of an irritable person. This is like hugging sandpaper.
Irritability is usually caused by stress, fatigue, or perfectionism. Work towards eliminating it to tamp down your short-temperedness. People will feel safer around you when you’re less irritable, which will create a better work environment where communication is honest and team-oriented.
How has changing your approach helped you grow as a leader? Share in a comment.
