John Maxwell asked the question “Are you leading or just taking a walk?” In my experience there are individuals that think and feel that they are leading because of the position that they hold but often the person is really just taking a walk and others are checking in or trying to figure out where the leader is going. I found this to be true for me in. my younger days and until I was aware of where I was going, I took many a walk.
One of the main lessons that I think people should learn and evaluate often is to understand what they are good at. As a young person joining the work force this can be helpful to guide their progress and give them direction. It is a trial-and-error process that requires time to develop. As you understand that then as you move into leadership roles by understanding your strengths you can find people to fill in the gaps that you are lacking to help you and the organization. With that said I think there are three mistakes that people make as they mature as a leader.
It's a process!
The first one is that they want to be the leader without going through the process. When a person first gets into the workforce many may have had a great college education. In focused fields there is training in the field that they go into. Others have been giving an education that covers a broad spectrum which I feel is manly for helping the individual have a broad base of knowledge. It is imperative to learn and grow as you start in the workforce and to gain an understanding of the ins and outs of your work environment. By having the basics down (which takes a few years) you can then look at stepping into a leadership role. This leads into the second mistake that is often made by younger leaders.
It is bigger than you!
The second mistake is that you feel that you must do it all yourself. No matter where you are in your career it is important to understand that you need others to be successful. It is easier today than a few years ago but we are more connected now which helps with developing relationships. If you desire to be a leader it is helpful to be thinking about others and evaluating their strengths and weaknesses. It also is important to be helping and guiding others as well as seeking input to help you grow. This process is about developing others and leading them.
You need a team!
The last mistake that young leaders make is that there is a lack of follow up. Part of leading is to make sure the follower is equipped to do their job. Here are a couple of ideas to follow up with your people. First it is imperative that they understand their role. A good job description helps but continual connection and conversation is important. Connecting with them to understand their goals in life and helping them get to those goals. Sometimes their goals are not to be a part of your organization forever but understanding them and developing their capabilities goes a long way. Another are that is very important is professional development. Following up on their goals and giving them the tools to become a better employee by giving them opportunities to grow into their role is a great tool to help them improve. Follow up in not complicated but does require effort to stay connected with your people.
Do you know if you are leading or just taking a walk? Take some time to evaluate where you are in life and what your goals and dreams are. My business is to help people along the pathway to living a successful life. Get on my calendar and let’s discuss how you can take the next step towards your success.