What are the most common weaknesses exhibited by today’s top executives and how can they be corrected?
No one is perfect. Even the best leaders have their flaws. However, great leaders are aware of their flaws and know how to fix them while bad leaders are not even aware of their own imperfections. Needless to say, failure to address these weaknesses can cause even the best leaders to stumble and make a serious mistake.
So, what are the most common weaknesses exhibited by today’s top executives and how can they be corrected? Here are some things you definitely need to know.
3 Common Leadership Blind Spots
Overestimating their strategic capabilities. Although most of them don’t realize it, a good number of leaders are more effective in managing and overseeing operations than they are with thinking strategically. This can cause some serious problems later on when they are promoted to senior levels since failure to address this weakness may hinder the person’s ability to develop a broader, more strategic view for the business.
Having a know-it-all mentality. Some people think they know more than everyone else does. These people believe that they are always right so they don’t even listen to other people’s points of view. Since they are overly confident in their own abilities, they usually move forward with a plan of action without fully exploring the risks and considering other options.
Staying stuck in the past. Most leaders fall into this trap from time to time. They mistakenly believe that they can use what they learned from their past experiences and apply it to solve a problem they are experiencing right now. While this may work in some cases, there are times when these proven methods would not fit the current situation.
Overcoming Blind Spots: 3 Simple Tips to Consider
While everyone has their own flaws, you can successfully overcome your weaknesses and be a better leader by following these suggestions.
- Welcome feedbacks. Having a warning system in place (e.g. behavior assessments) and encouraging feedbacks can help you prevent being sidetracked and improve your effectiveness as a leader.
- Build a good team. Hiring the best people in your team can help you take the best path forward. A great leader loves to have great people around him.
- Don’t be afraid to assess yourself. The best leaders are not afraid to know their flaws so consider establishing robust processes such as 360 surveys or skip-level interviews to help you identify possible areas for development.
