Being a successful leader comes with its own set of unique challenges. While many people may see leadership as a coveted position, it’s important to understand that it’s not all glamorous and comes with its own set of drawbacks.
As a executive leadership coach I have seen the following to be the biggest drawbacks for the leader’s that I coach:
Power dynamics: As a leader, the power dynamics within an organization can be challenging for anyone to navigate. Therefore, when it comes to your leadership, you must learn to balance the needs of your employees with the needs of the company, all the while maintaining a sense of fairness and impartiality.
Inability to be wrong: As a leader, your decisions and actions are constantly under scrutiny, and it can be difficult to admit when you’ve made a mistake. This can lead to a fear of failure and an unwillingness to take risks. Therefore, in terms of your leadership, you must practice humility and develop a growth mindset that allows you to learn from your mistakes and failures.
Duality of vulnerability and strong: Leaders are expected to show a strong and confident exterior, but at the same time, they must also be vulnerable and open to feedback. This can be a difficult balance to strike. Therefore, in regards to your leadership, you should develop emotional intelligence and be aware of your own emotions and how they affect the people around you.
Loneliness and isolation: Leaders tend to be lonely, isolated, and cut off from support. While they give their employees support and inspiration, they can’t turn to anyone for these precious commodities. Therefore, when it comes to leading, you should cultivate a supportive network of peers and mentors that you can turn to for guidance and support.
Existence of doubt: Leaders are constantly second-guessing themselves and their decisions, leading to feelings of self-doubt and uncertainty. Therefore, when it comes to your leadership, you should develop self-awareness and learn to trust your own judgment and instincts.
Leadership success hides many pitfalls and challenges and it comes with many drawbacks. But with the help of leadership coaching, leaders can address these challenges and overcome them. It is crucial for leaders to understand that being a leader is not only about achieving success but also about continuous improvement and self-awareness.
Lead From Within: Leadership comes with drawbacks, that’s a given, it’s what we do about those drawbacks that makes some leaders stand out more than others.
#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E R
The Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness
After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
- 12 Successful Leadership Principles That Never Grow Old
- A Leadership Manifesto: A Guide To Greatness
- How to Succeed as A New Leader
- 12 of The Most Common Lies Leaders Tell Themselves
- 4 Proven Reasons Why Intuitive Leaders Make Great Leaders
- The One Quality Every Leader Needs To Succeed
- The Deception Trap of Leadership
Of Lolly’s many awards and accolades, Lolly was designated a Top-50 Leadership and Management Expert by Inc. magazine. Huffington Post honored Lolly with the title of The Most Inspiring Woman in the World. Her writing has appeared in HBR, Inc.com, Fast Company (Ask The Expert), Huffington Post, and Psychology Today, and others. Her newest book, The Leadership Gap: What Gets Between You and Your Greatness has become a national bestseller.