The top 7 mistakes leaders make and how you can be different!

Craig Nathanson

About Craig Nathanson

26 years of senior management experience Founder and President, The Vocational Coach, The Best Manager Professor, Speaker, Author, organizational consultant and workshop leader in human and organizational growth Author of numerous books :
How to find Right work during challenging times: a new approach to your life and work after 40 The Best Manager- Getting better results WITH people P Is For Perfect: Your Perfect Vocational Day Discover and Live your Passion 365 Days a Year

Executive Coach College professor focused on management and organizational behavior MS Telecom Management, MA Human Development, Ph.D candidate- Human and Organizational Development On-line community www.thevocationalcoach.com and www.thebestmanager.com

Key learning outcomes!

Learn the top 7 mistakes which leaders make Learn how to be a systems thinker Learn why self awareness is important to leading yourself and others Understand what a leadership system is Learn the differences between leading and managing Understand the differences between managing and coaching Understand what an effective coach does Learn the best 7 steps towards becoming a better leader Summary of key learning and next steps
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The top 7 mistakes which leaders make

Dont make these mistakes!
Dont communicate a clear vision and desired outcome Make others feel unimportant Demonstrate low integrity Have little focus on building strong teams Provide little communication and sharing of plans Make every project, activity an emergency Place little importance on developing staff

Instead- be a systems thinker

Understanding the big picture Looking for connections and patterns Ask questions to learn Test assumptions Understand current thinking models Focus on the Process

Change perspectives to increase understanding Seek to understand cause and effect Focus on structure not on blame Look for leverage in the system

Systems Thinkers How-To

Look for interrelationships, not things
Example the farmer and the crop
Lowest level of thinking Use what has worked in the past

Look at patterns
A more sophisticated way of thinking Short term results vs. unintended consequences

Always look for root causes

Why is this occurring?

Systems Thinking How-To

Many leaders also fail when they ignore systems thinking
Results in a short-term fix focus Reactive rather than proactive Ignore patterns and operate in fire drill mode May see what they want to see
Instead important to look at patterns over time

Over-emphasis on analysis, rather than synthesis

How self awareness leads to better leadership

How to become more self aware
Who are you (Purpose) What is most important to you (values) How do you role model daily what is most important (behaviors) Are your abilities (what you are motivated to do) and your deepest interests aligned? Does your work match both high challenges and high skills? Are you positive, open and friendly to others? Do you listen to others and have empathy? Are you a person of high integrity? Do you find joy in your work and seek ways to develop and learn?
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Build a leadership system?

A leadership system
Provides an operating structure Contains a Vision, mission, values and behaviors Shapes a Culture Creates and motivates change Strives to set and reach goals towards a desired state Persuades and influences Creates and communicates a vision
And every action in the system affects all other parts

Leading vs. Managing

Leading
Visionary Inspiring Developing relationships Persuading Listening Focused on people Taking risks Motivating others
to change habits achieve new things

Creating
an inspiring culture excitement for work

Proactive Facilitating Displays passion and charisma Promoting collaboration, not competition Selling the tickets for the journey!

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Leading vs. managing

Managing
Focused on
Planning organizing monitoring

Requires subordinates Directing and communicating Operational decision making

Budgeting Solving problems Formal hierarchical role Emphasis on stability Results-oriented Minimizing risk Shorter term view

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What is coaching?

Think of a basketball coach (the one who doesnt yell)

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What an effective coach does

Is caring and focused Is a great listener and communicator Is always looking for coaching moments Gives informal and formal feedback Shares the responsibility for behavior change Is positive and proactive Is focused on staff development and teaching Puts equal focus on BOTH managing and coaching

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Managing vs. Coaching Both are needed

Managing
Measuring Monitoring Walking around/observing to gather data Communicating - disseminating information Deciding Setting goals Organizing

Coaching
Helping people to develop Asking questions Collaborating with employees Building strong interpersonal relationships with employees Providing feedback on behaviors with positive intent

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Where do you stand with your coaching skills?

Good
Uses lots of questions Listens well Feels responsible for your employees development Gives feedback on behavior with positive intent Builds strong teams which work together well Have patience with people and open-minded

Not So Good
Communicates with opinions and rarely asks questions Poor listener Sink or swim attitude with staff Feedback is more evaluative with a negative tone Little emphasis on building strong teams Little patience and resistant to change

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The 7 best steps towards great leadership

Great leaders
Set a clear vision and explain the desired state of all activities Show people you care about them Be consistent and a person of high integrity Align people together matching abilities and interests Communicate often sharing all plans and progress Set plans and goals together. Agree on metrics of success Make people development and on-going education a priority

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Summary
Good leaders
Practice positive leadership behaviors daily Think about the impact of their actions (systems thinking) Are self aware Understand that all parts of the leadership system affect all other parts Use leading, managing and coaching methods to work together Role model integrity, open communications and positive caring for developing others Continue to develop themselves Show passion and joy for their work!

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