Mistake 1 > Rejection.  People refuse to follow.  They don’t connect with your direction.  They run in circles to avoid carrying out your plans. Key: Accept that you will not be all things to all people.  It’s more important to be the one thing to the thing that matters most. Mistake 2 > Making an error or bad call.  You are off base – something went wrong.  People scatter and you are left holding the bag. Key: Know there is no possibility of solid leadership without making mistakes on the way.  Be caring and compassionate to yourself as you would a person on the team. Mistake 3 > Developing a huge EGO.  You become self-centered, egocentric, and viewing yourself as indispensible.  Soon, your ego precedes you at with those you lead. Key: Don’t demand the limelight or praise.  Do the tough work without expecting the glory.  In fact, direct the glory toward your followers. Mistake 4 > Looking stupid. People laugh at your ideas.  They gossip behind your back and they set the stage for more idiotic foibles. Key: Laugh at yourself when appropriate.  When it’s not warranted, hold up a mirror to those who point fingers and snicker. Mistake 5 > Not always getting results. No matter what you do, or think you are doing, you do not get the exact results you were planning for. Key: Acknowledge that ‘exact’ results may not be the ‘best’ results.  Finding outcomes not expected is the exact results only you didn’t know it! Mistake 6 > “alpha Do’ Syndrome.  You like being top dog… head honcho … big cheese.  You knowingly steal the thunder and attention from people around you, typically your subordinates.  You don’t like to share the spotlight with a well deserved person or team. Key:  Don’t be afraid to let go and give credit where credit is due.  If your team l ooks good, you look good.  Let someone else have their moment in the sun.
From regional manager to international executive with quadruple the pay, Karen Keller’s unique blueprint carefully outlined the step-by-step process for creating high-impact influence and let me know when I was being influenced in a way that didn’t serve me.
Lloyd Moore
Global Director Supplier Quality & Development - Lear Corporation – South Carolina