Leadership Traps - What NOT to do as a leader

What NOT to do as a leader!Mohammad Tawfik

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What NOT to do as a leader!

Mohammad Tawfik



Marshall Goldsmith, “What got you here will not take you there”



We are talking about successful people …



They have one or more annoying behavior …



Not realizing that it is happening

AND

They can change it!



The Success Delusion

Why we resist change!




●We Delude ourselves about:Our achievementsOur statusOur contributions




●It gives us:ConfidenceDoubt-free lifeBlindness of risks!



Myths!



I have Succeeded

●Successful people believe in their skills and abilities

They believe their contributions are more than they really are!



I can Succeed

●Successful people believe they have the capabilities to make things happen

“I am successful. I behave this way. I am successful because I behave this way”!!!



I will Succeed

●Successful people are optimistic

Over-commitment stops you from achieving!



I choose to Succeed

●Successful people have high need for self determination (not being controlled by others)

Cognitive dissonance may takeover our decisions



Change of behavior is possible if you can see that it

is for your best interest!



Self interest …

●It usually boils down to:Money (Live)Power (Leave a legacy or feel important)Status (Learn or acquire new experiences)Popularity (Love and be loved)



The Twenty Deadly Sins!

Habits that hold you back from the top



What not to do?

●“We spend a lot of time teaching leaders what to do. We do not spend enough time teaching leaders what to stop!”Peter Drucker



We do not reward people for what they did not do!



1-Don’t be an obsessed winner!



Winning too much

● Most Common problem!● In a meeting, you want your position to

prevail● When arguing with a spouse, you want to

have the final word● When driving, you do not want anyone to

get ahead of you



2- Do not try to add your touch!



Adding too much value

● Successful people always want to say:● “I already know that”● “I know a better way”

● This, simply, kills commitment of people to the idea they are presenting



3- Do not try to judge others!



Passing Judgments

● When you rate other people’s opinions or ideas, you discourage their contributions!

● Just listen, and say “Thank you!”



4- Avoid destructive comments!



Making Destructive Comments

● To avoid them, ask yourself:● Is it useful to the customer?● Is it useful to the organization?● Is it useful to the person I am talking to?● Is it useful to the person I am talking

about?

● If the answer is no, just Shut Up!



5- Do not start with: No, but, or However!



Starting with no, but, or however

“I am right, you are wrong!”

● Stop defending your position!



6- Don’t act too wisely!6- Do Not act too wisely!



Telling the world how smart you are

● It insults other people!

● Listen to the idea or suggestion and say “Thank you!”



7- Do not talk when angry!



Speaking when angry

● Anger is rarely someone else fault.

● In most cases, the source of anger is in here not out there



8- Avoid negative comments!



“Let me explain why that won’t work”!

● That is not being helpful!● It is just being negative● It comes from the need to prevent others

from appearing smarter than you are!

● Before saying that it won’t work, come up with a better idea or just Shut Up!



9 – Do Not withhold information



Withholding Information

● Leads to: mistrust and suspicion

● When intentional, it reflects a character floe

● Unintentionally, it may happen when you are too busy



10- Do not forget to praise and reward



Failing to give proper recognition

● You are depriving people from the emotional payoff they deserve!

● Learn to shift the focus from yourself unto others



11- Avoid being thanked for what you did not do!



Claiming credit you do not deserve

● It is a Crime!

● Ask yourself: “Is it possible that someone else deserves to be thanked for my success?”



12- Do not make excuses



Making Excuses

● “The traffic ...”“My assistant ...”“They ...”

● Be responsible!



13- Do not blame your parents



Clinging to the past

● Deflecting blame onto events and people in our past

● Do not blame others for the choices you made!



14- Avoid unfairness



Playing favorites

● You will always love your Dog! But is it more important than your child?!

● Admit to yourself that you are not objective in evaluating people!



15- Be quick to apologize!



Refusing to express regret

● It is an aspect of not being responsible

● It is not easy!

● Apologizing is one of the most powerful weapons you have

● Apologizing turns people into allies

● This is how people change, teams improve, and companies grow



16- Do not be rude!



Not listening

● You are essentially saying: “You are not important to me!” and “I do not care about you!”

● Be patient!



17- Give gratitude!



Failing to express gratitude

● Gratitude is a skill that we can never display too often

● If you do not know what to say, say “Thank you!”



18- Do not shoot the messenger!



Punishing the messenger

● How many times did you attack the one who is bringing you the news?

● Just say “Thank you!”



19- Do not pass the buck!19- Avoid saying “he did it”



Passing the buck

● You are never wrong, are you?

● A leader who can not take responsibility for his team’s problems, is not a leader in the first place!

● No one expects you to be right all the time, so why should you?



20- Do not say “That is me!”



An excessive need to be “me”

● A character fault is not excused simply because that is who you are!

● You have to get out of your comfort zone!● Leadership is about other people.



Getting over it!



Take feedback



Say “I am sorry”



Listen to people



Say “Thank you!”

Leadership Traps - What NOT to do as a leader

Leadership & Management

Transcript of Leadership Traps - What NOT to do as a leader