Leadership Traits that Stress Your Employees

stressfullleadershiptraitsThere is no such thing as a perfect leader. No matter how experienced you are, there is always something you can learn about your leadership style that will help strengthen the working relationship between you and your employees. So, even if you have a healthy rapport with your team, don’t forget to step back from time-to-time to ensure you haven’t unknowingly developed any the following bad habits.

Big ideas, little follow-through
As a leader, you’re not only responsible for coming up with your company’s next big idea; you also have to build excitement for it among your employees. And, if you have a strong, motivated team, that shouldn’t be difficult. However, once you’ve built a consensus and everyone starts working toward making your ideas a reality, you have to be prepared to follow through to completion. It can be frustrating for employees to put in some serious elbow grease only to see a project fizzle out or never get implemented. Your team deserves to see the fruits of their labor and to have the opportunity to bask in the glory of a job well done.

Down-to-the-wire decision making
In contrary to the old saying, “deadlines are made to be broken,” highly motivated employees go to great lengths to ensure their work is delivered on time, every time. That’s why last minute decisions and changes in direction can really cause them a great deal of stress. Of course it happens from time-to-time, but as a leader it’s important to strive to iron out all the details and button up the loose ends as soon as possible on the projects your team is working on. Even if you know they can handle it, down-to-the-wire decision making often makes hard work that much more difficult.

Just along for the ride
Leaders should be ready to roll up their sleeves and dig in. Sure, on many projects you’re just there to provide your employees with some general guidance, but don’t underestimate the value of jumping in the trenches to show your team that you’re not afraid to get your hands dirty. It not only builds a stronger relationship with your employees, it will also affirm their confidence that you fully understand the scope of the project.

Communication lost
Not everything goes without saying, so it’s always a good idea to double check for understanding. If you’ve taken the time to build a strong, competent team, nine times out of ten, it won’t be necessary. But remember, it’s easy to get too comfortable with a high-performing team that needs little supervision, so don’t forget to maintain consistent communication. Nothing is more frustrating than having to start a project over from scratch because of mistakes that could have easily been avoided had you taken the time to be certain everyone is on the same page.

Most great leaders will tell you they are only as good as the people they lead. And, while that’s probably an accurate statement, it’s important to be sure you are doing all you can to create a working relationship that allows your employees to be their best.

10 Responses to Leadership Traits that Stress Your Employees

  1. Scott Asai December 20, 2010 at 3:33 pm #

    Yes, lack of communication and big talkers that don’t back it up. Hmm…sounds like a boss I had before…

    • Jared Granberry December 22, 2010 at 4:19 pm #

      “Leaders should be ready to roll up their sleeves and dig in.” Good stuff in this article.

    • Markito December 15, 2012 at 7:50 am #

      Women involved in the rat race have to beomce more like men, instead of bringing any femininity and female attributes they have to act like a pastiche of masculinity, look at power business woman and maggie thatcher for prime examples of this.Though this is of course a generalization I find it to be so, even down to women expectedly having to wear trousers at work in a lot of places.

  2. Faith Echegoyen December 23, 2010 at 10:38 am #

    I totally agree. I must add also that leaders should need to develop relationship to their subordinates so as to prevent speculations and misjudgments. Leaders should put aside emotions and be logical to be able to think of best solutions by not being subjective but rather objective. I appreciate Leaders who are slow to anger and think first before reacting discretely but principles applied. Happy Holidays to all!

    • mario ortiz December 4, 2012 at 10:46 pm #

      good stuff

  3. Cheri December 29, 2010 at 8:11 pm #

    I’d also add disappearing acts to this list

  4. Mike Ruffner January 4, 2011 at 1:44 pm #

    Good leaders continually train their employees raise their experience level. Additionally, communication and fairness without playing favorites keeps everyone onboard.

    Great leaders take the time to train the staff to take their place. Hoarding knowledge and experience breeds resentment and laziness.

  5. Nicole F. January 4, 2011 at 1:59 pm #

    “That’s why last minute decisions and changes in direction can really cause them a great deal of stress.” – AMEN to that, although it applies to everybody, not only leaders.

    I hate the way many people ignore deadlines. Not only is it unprofessional, it is also extremely inconsiderate towards the team who works hard to, for example, organize an event.

  6. Mena Raso January 4, 2011 at 2:39 pm #

    A good leader / manager should never ask any employee to do something they wouldn’t do themselves. True leadership takes hard work and requires you to climb the ladder of success! Being honest and respecting others on your way to the top is the key!

  7. Jeannette Seibly March 1, 2011 at 10:34 am #

    Jared makes excellent points. Too often, leaders don’t follow-up and inspect the results they expect. This creates finger-pointing and dissension among employees. Unfortunately, if you don’t have a strong leader, the problems they were attempting to resolve only get worse.

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