Each year brings new, dynamic ways to take on leadership and move our companies forward. However, as each year changes, it is essential to reevaluate and ensure that the leadership strategies we utilize are in our organization’s best interest. The last thing we want is to be stuck in the past.
Leadership will look different to everyone, but some leadership trends should not come with us moving forward if you want to see true success within your teams and businesses.
The Detriments of Not Moving Forward
It is easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of work and keep doing what you are doing when it comes to leading your team and organization. However, if you haven’t considered your leadership styles in quite some time, you could be stuck in the past.
If you don’t evolve and adapt to the times, neither will your business. Your teams might not be getting the support or guidance they seek in order to be their most successful, leading to lower-quality end products and a decrease in morale. If you do not move forward, you could be setting your team and organization up for failure. It is time to reassess and keep moving.
Hoarding All the Work for Yourself
If you know how to do something yourself, it is easy to keep doing it until your plate is overflowing with everything you need to do in a workday. Doing everything yourself can get things done, but is it getting things done in a timely and efficient manner? Probably not.
Leaders must delegate and learn to trust their team members to handle the responsibilities we have put on our shoulders for years. As leaders, we have to remember that each of our team members is there for a reason and has a set of strengths and skills. So, we must remember to utilize them. Delegation is essential.
Relying on Short-Term Goals Rather Than Long-Term and Vice Versa
Many of us might focus solely on our business’s long-term goals and ignore everything else, while others might set their sights on short-term goals along the way and forget the big picture. We can not rely on one or the other to get us where we want to go.
Short-term and long-term goals must work together to get us where we need to be. Short-term goals will help us take the proper steps toward the larger picture, as long-term goals ensure we continue to strive. However, one does not work without the other, so we must remember to set both and work toward them equally.
Clinging to Old-School Office Expectations
While some old-school methods are still the most efficient, we can not cling to that mindset in every situation. The workforce is constantly changing, and we must be adaptable as leaders.
We must be open-minded about flexible work schedules, hybrid working, and accommodations. Employees have different expectations than they did years ago, and if we hope to build a strong business, we must ensure our team members are taken care of.
Keeping Work and Personal Life 100% Separated
Mixing work and personal life is usually not ideal. However, in today’s world, we must consider our team members’ mental health and well-being. Mental health in the workplace has become a hot topic in recent years, and for good reason.
If you want a striving, profitable business, you must look at the individuals who help make it happen. When our team members are supported, happy, and thriving, you will see the major benefits this brings to your organization. So, it could be time to ensure proper mental health support is woven into your business.
Encouraging a Hierarchy
There are titles and a certain “hierarchy” in business for a reason. However, they should not be the end-all and be-all. Just because you are a business owner, CEO, manager, or leader does not mean you are completely separated from your team members.
It could be time to stop encouraging the hierarchy and start encouraging open communication, increased collaboration, and general support among everyone in the business. This mindset will help boost morale and make team members feel valued and listened to, which can lead to better-quality work and efficiency. When we take the time to support each other, we will get the best results.
While some tried and true leadership trends can still be as effective today as they were 10 years ago, some simply need to be left in the past. If you have further questions or wish to become a stronger leader, contact me.