Notice that the title of this article contains the word “Leaders”.

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In my previous post, I outlined the differences between a leader and a boss based on the subtle cues from your everyday relationships with people. Those cues are highly accurate in demonstrating whether or not you’re a leader in the eyes of your people.

Once you do that simple test, and discover you’re actually a leader, congrats! But don’t be too happy just yet; many leaders tend to think they are exhibiting great leadership skills when in fact, they are not. For those whose results deemed them a boss, don’t hammer yourself too much over it because up next, I will be showing you some of the mistakes leaders make. Knowing these mistakes  and avoiding them  is a chance for you to turn the table around, to build a better image and online branding, be a better leader, and invite business success to you (yes, that includes earning more)!

In fact, when you assume a leadership position, it’s possible that you will do  a lot of things wrong while trying to do things right. I’m going to reveal the five dangerous mistakes that silence every area that is important to you – career, status, relationship, success, and money – without you knowing it.

1. Not Understanding Yourself

I’ve talked to many people holding leadership positions. One commonality I discovered among these leaders is the recognition that a part of them is probably introverted. This means that they find themselves in, or experience one or more, of the following situations:

• Not communicating well enough.

• Not commanding respect and trust from their team members

• Being seen as cold; lacking the human touch

• Having difficulty in championing a cause/initiative

• Lacking buy-ins from team members

• Being passed on for promotions

• Finding it difficult to express themselves

And the list goes on.

You’re one step ahead of other people when you identify yourself as an introverted leader – and that is a good thing because as an introvert, you are in a position to better deliver outcomes (see Susan Cain). You also possess hidden traits that make you excel as a leader better than extroverts, once you know how to leverage on your introverted nature. Unfortunately, most introverted leaders feel stuck in life and at work. Because they behave differently from the norm and from others’ expectations, they think that there’s something wrong with them. This is not true, and in one of my next few posts I will show you how you can turn your perceived weaknesses as an introvert into strengths, and make it work for you. At this moment, I just want you to know that if you do not understand yourself enough, becoming successful in leadership, and subsequently in life, is going to be an uphill task.

2. Having Tunnel Vision For Results 

Business results and personal achievements matter a lot to individuals – be it corporate executives, C-suite management, or business owners. Sometimes, it matters so much that it’s all you focus on; after all results, in some way, define success, status, and capabilities. Because of this, you tend to unknowingly develop tunnel vision for results, and in the process, your relationships with your people erodes. You will tend to neglect appreciation, communication, protection, and humility – things that matter to the people who contributed to your achievements.

Part two of this article discusses more mistakes leaders make, and the damage they can cause.

Visit the Invipulse page to find out more about Regina’s work.

_{This article was first published on Invipulse blog and has been reposted on Executive Lifestyle with the permission of the author.}
^{Edited by Michelle Sarthou}
_{Image Credit: Shutterstock}

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