“Knowing when to leave may be the smartest thing anyone can learn.” ~ Burt Bacharach
Over the years I have had the opportunity to work with or present in front of 1000’s of leaders. On occasion, I have been asked, What makes a great leader? What are the traits of a great leader? Can they be learned? Are people born with them? And the answer always is … it depends.
It might be easy to say the top 5 characteristics of a great leader are X or Y or Z. There are literally 1000’s of books written on the topic.
Sometimes to define what a great leader is you have to define what a great leader isn’t.
That said, below is a list of 20 actual beliefs and behaviors of leaders I’ve encountered or observed who either needed to drastically change, quit, or be re-provisioned (politically correct term for moved, fired, or retired).
It’s Time to Quit
- If you believe that everything your people do is a direct reflection of you.
- If you believe it is okay to humiliate or berate your people so they will listen or conform to your ways and ideas.
- If you believe that the sole purpose of your people is to serve you (do what you say when you say it) and advance your career.
- If you continue to justify your behaviors and beliefs because you don’t want to change, even though others have told you there is a problem.
- If you refuse to change (listen) saying, “I am who I am” or “This is the way I am!”
- If you believe believe that controlling and micro-managing your people is the best way to get things done.
- If you think your job is to step-in and save, repair, and fix, your ‘broken’ people.
- If you believe the reason you are failing as a leader is the fault of your people or anyone other than yourself.
- If really prefer not to engage with others and instead prefer to sit in your office, analyze data, and send emails instead of interacting with people.
- If you are simply buying time until you get a buyout, a payout, retire, or the job you really want.
- If you are an arrogant ass and have the need to always win or be right, even when you are not the subject matter expert on the topic.
- If you believe you are a subject matter expert on everything.
- If you believe the title on your business card entitles or qualifies you as a leader.
- If you are a leader in a family-owned business AND THE TRUTH IS…if you were forced to go out in the ‘real’ world you would be unemployed or hold a position far below where you are.
- If you complain and moan but don’t step up to the plate to offer solutions out’ve fear of losing your position.
- If you fail to involve yourself with your people because you fear conflict and so you say, “figure it out or work it out,” and the issue never gets resolved.
- If you believe it is okay to lie, hide the truth, or leave out the facts, to get what you want.
- If you talk smack about your boss, your people, or your company, in private but don’t give feedback when given the opportunity.
- If you consistently find it next to impossible to make decisions and take action because: you have to analyze the hell out of it a little more, gather 20 more reams of data (in addition to the 20 you already have), fear conflict, or simply are afraid of making the wrong decision…so you don’t make any!
- If you believe that it is okay to move here from another country, bring your kid with you to the new job, and then use him to spy on others to give you insider information because you don’t trust others.
So the question is, How many of these traits determines whether you should quit? I guess you could justify 1 or all 20 if you wish.
Maybe the real question isn’t whether it is time to quit, maybe the real question needs to be…
“Are you willing to WAKE UP and change the ones you do have?”
If you’re really serious about changing, maybe you need a little help?
If so, maybe you should Click here
