Some people set out for leadership. They want to be in a leadership role and take charge. Other people find themselves in leadership roles reluctantly. They don’t necessarily see themselves as leaders, but circumstances or necessity dictates that they’ve got to step up and lead. Either way, both potential leaders bring more than positive skills to the plate.
We’ve all got habits that we need to break—too much fast food—Binge-watching Netflix and other patterns that don’t serve us. Leaders have bad habits, even when they are leading others. Breaking bad habits can make you a better leader. Breaking bad habits does more than reduce the negativity in your life; it molds you into a better and more effective leader. Here’s how-
Losing the bad habit is one thing, but what you learn in the process is a secondary benefit. Dropping the bad habit itself will make you healthier, but overcoming the mindset and behaviors that accompany the bad habit is equally beneficial. Example: Dropping the fast-food habit will make your body healthier. Dropping the thoughts and actions associated with buying and eating fast food goes even farther to make you a better leader because you can model and teach these skill sets.
Here are 3 bad habits you can break that will make you a better leader
Break the complaining habit
Complaining is a form of passive aggression. Complaining has no room in a leader’s tool kit. Complaining is an immature way to manage stress. Sure, recognizing that something isn’t right is essential. Analyzing things for their merit matters, but going on and on about it without making changes is worthless. Venting has its place in the right context, but complaining wears people out and gets them riled up. Solving problems and finding solutions to whatever needs to be changed is the answer. Great leaders don’t complain about things; they tackle them and take action to solve the problem.
Break the gossiping habit
The surest way to sabotage your leadership is to gossip. Talking about others behind their backs doesn’t do anyone any good. As the saying goes- snuffing out someone else’s light doesn’t make yours shine brighter. Dropping the gossip habit is a bad habit that all good leaders eliminate. You can avoid gossip by refusing to speak negatively about others as part of your standard. You can avoid gossip in groups by removing yourself from conversations that include gossip. You can also set the standard with the people you lead and those you influence by making it a policy not to gossip. This policy needs to be written in your actions, not an email.
Break the avoidance habit
Leaders get things done. That’s why they’re leaders. Leaders don’t wait to be told what needs to be done. They recognize and see what needs to be taken care of and take the initiative to do it. If something is difficult, they find help. If something is too complicated, they seek guidance. Leaders don’t procrastinate, and they don’t avoid anything. This includes avoiding tasks, avoiding difficult conversations, and avoiding challenges. Dropping the avoidance habit helps make leaders more consistent and effective.
Whether you are asking to lead or being pushed into it, you might have some habits worth breaking before you do. Breaking these habits can help transform your effectiveness as a leader and make your overall life experience much better.
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