10 Uncomfortable Truths Leaders Must Face to Succeed
When I stepped into my first leadership role, I wanted to be the manager everyone liked.
I gave people space, hoping they'd step up and take responsibility.
Some did, but not everyone.
And I learned these 10 uncomfortable truths of leadership the hard way:
1. People Do What You Inspect, Not What You Expect
That doesn't mean micro-management.
It means being clear about your expectations, setting the standards, and holding people accountable.
Pro Tip: System and metrics matter, and so do your 1:1's. 3 Rules for Effective 1:1's.
2. You Will Be Misunderstood
No matter how clear you think you are, your words and actions will be misinterpreted.
Double down on expectations. Over communicate, but be prepared for misunderstandings.
Pro Tip: Remember truth #1; your people will do what you inspect, not what you expect.
3. Not Everyone Will Follow You
Some people will resist your leadership, no matter what.
And a high-performing team needs everyone moving in the same direction.
Pro Tip: Some you'll guide back on track, others you won't. Invest in those who are with you.
4. You Can't Please Everyone
Leadership often involves making tough decisions that won't make everyone happy.
Trying to please everyone is a sure way to fail.
Pro Tip: Be guided by what you believe is "right", not what the "policy" says.
5. Failures Are Inevitable
You will make mistakes. Don't hide from it. Own it.
It's not about avoiding failure but learning from it quickly and adapting.
Pro Tip: It's only a failure if it doesn't inform your next move.
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6. Trust Is Hard to Earn and Easy to Lose
Building trust takes time, and a single misstep can destroy it.
Being consistent, transparent, and reliable is crucial.
Pro Tip: Learn peoples names and at least one thing they value outside of work.
7. Delegation Is Hard but Necessary
You can't do everything yourself.
Learning to delegate is essential for scaling your impact and empowering your team.
Pro Tip: Play to their strengths. Delegation is easier when it's a task they enjoy.
8. You'll Be Judged More by Your Actions Than Your Words
People watch what you do more closely than what you say.
Your actions set the tone for the entire organization.
Pro Tip: Be yourself, let your personality shine, but master self-awareness with the help of an annual 360 degree survey.
9. Change Is Constant and Uncomfortable
Change, even when it's uncomfortable, is essential.
Clinging to the status quo can lead to stagnation.
Pro Tip: Today, you're either the disruptor or the disrupted. Always be upskilling.
10. You're Not the Smartest Person in the Room
As a leader, you need to rely on the expertise of others.
Trying to be the smartest person in the room is limiting.
Pro Tip: Hire smart people, make the goal clear, and get out of their way.
I hope you found this valuable. Please share if you think someone in your network could benefit from reading it too.
Oh, and before you go...
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Senior Manager, Operations & Implementation | Director Continuous Improvement |Supply Chain Management Leader | Lean Six Sigma Black Belt
7 个月#10 for the win! Good stuff!
Vice President at Oldcastle | Instilling confidence in leaders through organic content | Host of The Passionate Pro Podcast
7 个月Leadership tips are like guideposts on a journey—they keep you on the right path and help you avoid pitfalls.
Revenue Management the right way | Founded 2 companies that optimize hotel & restaurant/bar profits through software, consulting & coaching | 50,000+ took my Revenue Management training
7 个月Outstanding points. 9 is what people don't get. We do change management ways, every day and yet have projects about "change". And yes. It sucks as you go from the devil you know to the one you don't. Ps love your dentist haircut in the middle ??
non-traditional Revenue Manager & Consultant for Independent Hotels and Hotel Groups
7 个月My first leadership role was volunteering as chapter president for my local AFS Intercultural Programs organization. I was just out of high school and lead a team of volunteers to organize the activities for our exchange students in our region. Our biggest challenges were finding volunteers to help with the programs. And then, once we found them, to get them to do what needed to be done. Back then I thought the challenge was that those were all volunteers and, as this would suggest, they were volunteering and could not be "made" to do what they should be doing. I thought that once working (for money ??) it would be easier and people would do what they are asked to do since it was literally their job. ?? ?? Didn't take me long to figure out how wrong I was once I was in a professional leadership role. Never would it ever be as easy to get people to do what I wanted them to do as back in the day when I was leading a group of volunteers. As the name suggested, they did it voluntarily. Because they WANTED to do it! Amazing article, Rob Paterson!