Transcript Ten Mistakes Every Leader Makes

Ten Mistakes Every
Leader Makes
The Leadership Development Series
Sponsored by Student Activities
Mistake # 1
Repeating the Same Mistakes
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Good leaders acknowledge their mistakes and
learn from them
Don’t fall into the “can’t disappoint”
syndrome
Mistake # 2
Being Inflexible
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You must be able to accept change to be an
effective leader
Change is normal although the pace of change
can vary
A good leader is able to provide guidance and
control the pace of change
Mistake # 3
Failing to Acknowledge Your Past
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Good leaders are made from their accumulated
experiences
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Training
Mentoring
Guidance from others
Good leaders recognize that they don’t know
everything and return to people from their past for
help
Leaning on others is not a sign of weakness
Mistake # 4
Being a Commander Rather than a Leader
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Commanding is never an acceptable substitute
for leading
Dictating is never an acceptable substitute for
eliciting cooperation
Leaders have great skills:
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cooperation skills
explanatory skills
getting people to say “yes!”
Mistake # 5
Failing to Listen
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Good leaders listen to the voices they hear
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Group members
Advisors/supervisors
Outside voices
Your inner voice
Learn to pay attention to the voices you hear and
how to interpret properly
Staying informed allows you to better interpret the
voices you hear
Mistake # 6
Getting Caught Up in Your Own Glory
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Good leaders put the needs of the group
before their own
Cultivate modesty whenever possible
Leadership is a set of responsibilities, not a
not a mantle of privilege
Mistake # 7
Expecting it to Last Forever
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There is a limited window of opportunity in
which to be effective
Good leaders plan ahead:
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Plan for your exit just as you plan for your
entrance
How can you be an effective leader in your next
role?
Mistake # 8
Hoarding Skills or Information
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A leader must also be a constant teacher
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Keep your members informed and teach them
new skills that will enhance the group
Encourage your members to be teachers as well
Ways to teach
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Educational workshops
Effective/Consistent officer transition system
Mistake # 9
Taking Yourself Too Seriously
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Good leaders maintain a sense of humor
Laughter can be the best remedy when things
get too serious
Good leaders are down-to-earth, not pompous
Mistake #10
Seeing Things in Black & White
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Good leaders know that there are often two
sides to every story
The answer is not always yes or no
Good leaders see the various shades and solve
problems without confrontations
The Ten Mistakes
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Repeating the Same
Mistakes
Being Inflexible
Failing to Acknowledge
Your Past
Being a Commander
Rather than a Leader
Failing to Listen
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Getting Caught Up in
Your Own Glory
Expecting it to Last
Forever
Hoarding Skills or
Information
Taking Yourself Too
Seriously
Seeing Things in Black
& White