One of the greatest mistakes of successful people is the assumption, “I am successful. I behave this way. Therefore, I must be successful because I behave this way!” ~Marshall Goldsmith
Greatest leadership mistake: leaders assume they are successful because of how they behave. Marshall Goldsmith is the gold standard (couldn’t resist the pun) for executive coaching and I quote him often. I have found this same thinking to be true—leaders assume they are successful because of how they behave—especially leaders who have been recently promoted into leadership positions. They wave their strengths boldly. It’s as if they are carrying a huge flag to immediately let everyone know that they are coming, proudly displaying their strengths.
Leading with Bold Grace Requires Flexible Behavior
I work with leadership teams to build both individual and collective self-awareness, many times using a behavioral assessment tool. I suggest that they look at their strengths, not as a flag they wave, but as a secret weapon they carry in their back pocket and then recognize the appropriate time to use that secret weapon. Leading with bold grace requires the flexibility to adapt; not assuming that you are successful because you behave a certain way.
For example, someone might have the strength of being very direct. Imagine that if every encounter they have with a colleague is marked by a very direct—nothing held back—response. After all, it’s their strength so why not lead with it all the time? Or, maybe another leader has the strength of ensuring that everyone is heard. They too always lead with their strength (like waving a flag), garnering input from everyone before they announce a decision. What happens when a timely decision is far more critical than a decision that encompasses a wide range of views?
Success Comes from Flexible Behavior
One theory that nearly every leadership guru agrees upon is that the most effective leaders don’t have a specific behavioral profile or personality type. The most effective leaders are those who know how to be flexible and adapt their behavior to given situations and circumstances.
Who we are is who we are. It is not good or bad, helpful or hurtful. However, if leaders don’t recognize that if their behavior remains somewhat constant as the situation or circumstances around them changes, they are going to run into trouble.
Example: someone who is highly detailed and scrutinizes everything may need to lean on that strength when their organization is going through an audit. But, once the audit is complete, that same behavior practiced with the same intensity, could be viewed as micromanaging and severely hinder their ability to lead others.
The Greatest Leadership Mistake
The greatest leadership mistake could be avoided, or at least minimized. Imagine what we could accomplish if we willingly welcomed a better understanding of the impact of our own behavior. Quoting Goldsmith, “To help others develop, start with yourself. Great leaders encourage leadership development by openly developing themselves.”
Build your behavioral flexibility muscle to better lead with bold grace. You can stop making this mistake.