The Top 10 Mistakes Leaders Make

1.  The Top-Down Attitude

       The top-down attitude comes naturally to most people. 

       It is based on the military model of barking orders to those beneath you. 

       But effective leaders seek good ideas from all levels, thus empowering

       those below them.

2.   Putting Paperwork Before Peoplework

      The greater the leadership role, the more important peoplework is.

      Only through association is there transformation.

3.  The Absence of Affirmation

      Everyone thrives on affirmation and praise.  We wildly underestimate

     the power of the tiniest personal touch of kindness.

     Learn to read the varying levels of affirmation your people need.

4.  No Room for Mavericks

     Mavericks can save us from the slide toward institutionalism.

     They bring us the future!  Learn to recognize truly useful mavericks.

5.  Dictatorship in Decision Making

     Dictators deny the value of individuals.  The major players in an

     organization are like its stockholders.  They should have a say in its direction.

6.  Dirty Delegation

     Overmanaging is one of the cardinal sins of poor leadership.

     Nothing frustrates those who work for you more than sloppy delegation

     with too many strings attached.  Delegation should match each worker's

     follow-through ability.

7.  Communication Chaos

     The bigger the group, the more attention that must be given to communication.

     Communication must be the passionate obsession on effective leadership.

8.  Missing the Clues of Corporate Culture

     Every system has a set of values and beliefs.  If we don't understand this culture,

    we create conflict, dissonance, and frustration.

9.  Success with Successors

     Pride tightens the grip on leadership; humility relaxes and lets go.

     Letting go of leadership is like sending your children away to college:

     It hurts, but it has to be done.  Mentoring is a non-negotiable function

    of successful leadership.

10. Failure to Focus on the Future

      The future is rushing at us at breakneck speed.  A leader's concentration

      must not be on the past or on the present, but on the future.

     Vision is an effective leader's chief preoccupation.

                                                HANS FINZEL

                    *THE TOP TEN MISTAKES LEADERS MAKE*