Ten Mistakes Every Leader Makes

1. Ten Mistakes Every Leader Makes The Leadership Development Series Sponsored by Student Activities

2. Mistake # 1Repeating the Same Mistakes • Good leaders acknowledge their mistakes and learn from them • Don’t fall into the “can’t disappoint” syndrome

3. Mistake # 2Being Inflexible • You must be able to accept change to be an effective leader • Change is normal although the pace of change can vary • A good leader is able to provide guidance and control the pace of change

4. Mistake # 3Failing to Acknowledge Your Past • Good leaders are made from their accumulated experiences • Training • Mentoring • Guidance from others • Good leaders recognize that they don’t know everything and return to people from their past for help • Leaning on others is not a sign of weakness

5. Mistake # 4Being a Commander Rather than a Leader • Commanding is never an acceptable substitute for leading • Dictating is never an acceptable substitute for eliciting cooperation • Leaders have great skills: • cooperation skills • explanatory skills • getting people to say “yes!”

6. Mistake # 5Failing to Listen • Good leaders listen to the voices they hear • Group members • Advisors/supervisors • Outside voices • Your inner voice • Learn to pay attention to the voices you hear and how to interpret properly • Staying informed allows you to better interpret the voices you hear

7. Mistake # 6Getting Caught Up in Your Own Glory • Good leaders put the needs of the group before their own • Cultivate modesty whenever possible • Leadership is a set of responsibilities, not a not a mantle of privilege

8. Mistake # 7Expecting it to Last Forever • There is a limited window of opportunity in which to be effective • Good leaders plan ahead: • Plan for your exit just as you plan for your entrance • How can you be an effective leader in your next role?

9. Mistake # 8Hoarding Skills or Information • A leader must also be a constant teacher • Keep your members informed and teach them new skills that will enhance the group • Encourage your members to be teachers as well • Ways to teach • Educational workshops • Effective/Consistent officer transition system

10. Mistake # 9Taking Yourself Too Seriously • Good leaders maintain a sense of humor • Laughter can be the best remedy when things get too serious • Good leaders are down-to-earth, not pompous

11. Mistake #10 Seeing Things in Black & White • Good leaders know that there are often two sides to every story • The answer is not always yes or no • Good leaders see the various shades and solve problems without confrontations

12. Repeating the Same Mistakes Being Inflexible Failing to Acknowledge Your Past Being a Commander Rather than a Leader Failing to Listen Getting Caught Up in Your Own Glory Expecting it to Last Forever Hoarding Skills or Information Taking Yourself Too Seriously Seeing Things in Black & White The Ten Mistakes