| Are You Making These Leadership Mistakes? | January 17, 2011 |
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Greetings!
As you begin 2011, are you satisfied with your leadership in 2010?
How you lead directly impacts the results you get. I'm sure you've heard the phrase, "if you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always got."
 As the new year gets underway, let's look at three critical mistakes leaders often make. Take a look - they may not be what you expect!
How to avoid making these mistakes as a leader is all covered in the new on-demand course, Supervisor 101 - a self-paced, individual training course that brings critical leadership training right to your desktop.
So check it out HERE - and make the decision to lead with excellence!
Unleash the leader within! 
Teresa Gilbert
Pathways to Excellence, LLC
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MONDAY MORNING LEADERSHIP TIP #170
Are You Making These Leadership Mistakes? |
Mistake #1 Supervising "Everyone The Same Way"
 It is a mistake to think you can, and should, supervise your direct reports the same way. They are all different people, and they have different needs. Should you supervise them in a manner that is fair and equitable? Absolutely! But you need to use different communication styles, different methods of processing, various ways of showing recognition and giving praise; the list is endless.
For example, for some staff, concerning correction and discipline, a gentle suggestion about an alternative practice may be all that's needed; for others, the same incident could require a direct confrontation to get the person's attention and desired changed behavior.
Mistake #2 Poor Development of Relationships With Direct Reports
This is especially challenging if you were previously a peer and have been promoted to supervisor, and even more challenging if a prior peer that was a close friend, you now supervise. There are certain principles that should always be followed when supervising former peers and friends. But even if your direct reports don't bring those challenges, it is essential that you invest significant time into developing the best relationship possible with each of them individually, and as a team. Your effectiveness as a leader is all about the relationships you form.
Mistake #3 Not Learning Your Own Leadership Style
 As a leader, you need to understand your own leadership style. What does that mean? An example: Are you organized, structured, all your ducks in a row? If so, you will have that expectation of your direct reports, and they will not all be that way. That is a characteristic of your leadership style, and you will approach everything in a structured, organized manner.
Those with similar preferences will respond well to this. Those staff who are more free, impulsive, spontaneous and feel imprisoned by calendars and watches will struggle with your leadership style. But these people will be a vital part of your team; these are your creative people, free spirits, risk takers. You need them, as much as you need the organization and structure. So knowing you are an organized, structured leader will also help you know that you will need to learn how to relate to those who are not, how to value what they bring, how to deal effectively with the things about them that will irritate you (and you will find them - they will be late, will forget things, not get paperwork done, etc., which will drive you crazy!)
Other questions to ask yourself as you're determining your own leadership style:
- Do you delegate work easily, meaning you're a 'hands off' leader?
- Or are you a micro-manager, wanting to be involved in details?
- Do you want your direct reports to be decision-makers, or do you want to make the decisions?
- What is your preference in communicating with staff? Do you prefer a play-by-play as projects are being completed? Or a "call me if you need me" style?
These leadership mistakes can be avoided when you understand their importance, and learn strategies to become effective in these areas. Our newest on-demand training course, Supervisor Training 101, addresses these three issues and many more. In this course, you will:
- Learn your own Leadership Style, so you can develop effective communication
- Develop methods to prevent and manage conflict
- Discover how to supervise staff consistently, so you can built trust
- Learn how to supervise friends and former peers, so you build a healthy team
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LEADERSHIP TRAINING |
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Would you like to learn more about leadership topics such as this one?
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GIVE YOURSELF THE GIFT OF A LIFE COACH | |
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| ABOUT TERESA |
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Teresa Gilbert is founder of Pathways to Excellence, LLC, a company devoted to inspring excellence in others, empowering them to rise to their potential and "unleash the leader within"! She is also a Consultant, Leadership Coach, and author.
If you liked today's issue, you'll love Teresa's dynamic coaching and training in the form of teleclasses, webinars, and on-site presentations.
While Teresa is best known for her expertise in leadership development, participants share with her that her biggest impact comes from her passion and philosophy of meeting participants where they are...and empowering them to take the next quantum leap to become all they want to be!
This, Teresa says, is the most important key to bringing out the best in all of us!
Teresa specializes in working with rising executives and managers to fully develop their leadership potential. Teresa has a Masters Degree in Education and 25 years experience in the field of management, administration, staff development and coaching.
You can learn more about Teresa and her webinar courses, workshops, and resources at www.leaderschampion.com.
Teresa Gilbert, "The Emerging Leader's Champion"
Pathways to Excellence, LLC
P.O.Box 2562, Carbondale, IL
teresa@teresagilbert.com
Phone: 618-658-2554
Fax: 618-223-5181
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