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3 Insights for Your Leadership Journey
Working for a toxic leader is draining. Companies often find themselves left grappling with ineffective or toxic leaders who deliver results but leave a wake of disaster behind them while they do it. While the signs may be clear, knowing how to navigate such delicate situations remains difficult.
If you have ever worked for a bad leader or you want to ensure you don’t become one, here are three principles to remember:
I. Leadership is temporary. It’s impact is lasting
What it means:
Of all the leadership principles, this is by far my favorite. The job titles of the Pope, the President, and your current role, all come to an end. Someone else will one day own those responsibilities. However, the impact you have on others lasts well past the time a title expires.
Most people don’t think about the lasting impact their words or actions, good or bad, have on other people. It’s what makes the quality of your leadership so important at home and work.
Be patient when it impacts one person. Be impatient when it impacts other people.
What it means:
The conundrum of patience vs. impatience in developing a leader is real. More often than not, companies opt to give ineffective leaders more time in hopes that they develop and change.
CEO Chris Hoffman's words caught my attention: “Giving ineffective leaders long periods of time to improve seems like the “nice” thing to do…then I considered the effects on the people they lead. The “nice” thing to do was address the failing leader right away.”
You can’t just tell people to be leaders you must show them how. Be impatient by providing development opportunities now.
III. What you tolerate, you encourage
What it means:
It’s easy to blame others when they distribute negativity repeatedly or treat others with no respect. Instead, it’s time to hold up the mirror and look at yourself because what leaders tolerate they encourage.
If you keep tolerating less-than-ideal behavior, it is your fault. Have the difficult conversations, help coach others to improve, and hold them accountable for changing their behavior. It’s time to stop enabling and start prohibiting less-than-ideal behavior.
Keep Leading Your Best,
John Eades | CEO LearnLoft
P.S. The 64-Day Excellence Planner comes out on March 14th. Check out the page below to see if it might be a fit for you or your team.
How to Handle Toxic Leaders (Blog)
How the Top #1 Navigate Change (Video)
The 64-Day Excellence Planner (March 14th)
After coaching thousands of leaders, it became clear that time management, productivity, and prioritization affect us all. Introducing the 64-Day Excellence Planner, meticulously crafted to mirror the strategies of high performers.
You can purchase three versions of the planner starting on March 14th.
64 Day Excellence Planner (Paperback)
64 Day Excellence Planner (Wirebound)
64 Day Excellence Planner with Accountability (Program)
Today’s Leadership Trivia — Guess Right and Win
Each month, we pick someone who answers the trivia question correctly to win a digital copy of the upcoming 64-Day Excellence Planner. Just click on the right answer below:
What are the three options when dealing with a toxic or ineffective leader? |
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