Leadership, The “To Don’t” List

Good leadership is something everyone wants to learn about, read about, emulate.? The most important thing after “what to do”, is “what not to do”.? With this in mind, keeping the list to avoid close at hand is key.

Just as important as a "Do these things list", is a "Don’t ever do these things" list.? I have learned many great things from watching people do the wrong things, and taking note.? You don’t need to be around great leadership to learn a lot about leadership.? If you are not keeping good track of things not to do, you are missing out.

Early in my career I barely paid attention to leadership until I had a really bad manager.? A bad manager, a bad leader.? That was the first time I perked up and started paying close attention.? Why does he have this position?? How did he get it?? How does he keep it?? and just as important, "What are the things he’s doing that are terrible?"

Here are the top 3 things they did that made my "Don’t ever do this list."

1.?????They yelled at people publicly when upset.? Seem obvious, but its all too common.

2.????? They were condescending to people that don’t know things they know.? And also they didn't teach people much.? (Condescending, one of the seven deadly management sins).

3.????? Overly concerned only for themselves, takes all credit, belittles the group to others. (when you belittle your own group, you are basically saying "look what a terrible manager I am, my group sucks."?? Too bad we don’t hire someone to make that group great.? Oh wait we did, it was you.)

The list can go on and on.? Those are the top three, but I’d bet just reading those you could add three more in a heart beat.?? Really good management is more rare then really bad management.? If you believe that’s true, you are going to get a lot more opportunities to create your “Do no do List” then your “Do this List”.?

Both are opportunities, whichever position you are in, make a list.