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Are You Guilty Of These 5 Leadership Mistakes?

Here is a look at five leadership obstacles I've encountered as an entrepreneur and how I overcame them.

All leadership roles present challenges. Thankfully, there are many ways to learn how to combat these challenges, from online leadership seminars to learning from other entrepreneurs.

Here is a look at five leadership obstacles I encountered and how I overcame them.

 

Inconsistent feedback

We all seek feedback — from toddlers asking parents for something, to a team leader asking the CEO about the company’s latest plans.

Consider offering more feedback to your team – on your leadership skills too. I realized the importance of this when I hired a digital marketing firm to help build my company’s online presence. I was immediately bombarded with loads of feedback regarding my website’s SEO and how different the business was perceived in other places around the world. This made me think about my own internal feedback strategy and how feedback should go both ways.

 

Either too hands-off or too involved

Team leaders need to give and receive constant feedback, but their actions that can make or break them. Most leaders are either too hands-off, while others micromanage too much. Find the perfect blend.

If you’re too hands-off it can cause confusion, especially if you choose to go your own way. In contrast, you may think micromanaging helps keep your idea in focus, but it may need input from people you trust. Listen and take criticism, but always be the leader.

 

Leadership Mistakes - YFS Magazine
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Undefined goals

Always define short and long-term goals. Each functional area of your business team will have different sets of goals — make sure they are well-defined. Discuss your plans regularly during scheduled meetings with team leaders.

 

Overlooked training and development

This one is simple, but grossly overlooked in many businesses — even some of the largest in the world. A lack of training makes things stale. Whether it’s daily reading or the ever-popular webinar to teach new skill sets, make training and development a leadership requirement.

Our team leaders study trends and giants of the travel industry, yet I also make sure there is monthly training around the latest strategies and developments within their division of the company, from sales to marketing. This helps us further develop our core offerings.

 

Poor time management skills

I left the big one for last: Time management is the underlying root of success. Learn it, live it and teach it.

 

Online Time Tracking Tools for Small Business
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Entrepreneurs need time management on their side to truly be successful. It should be taught to everyone within your company, from interns to CFOs. Smart time management not only helps get daily duties in order, but it helps in your personal life. Every successful entrepreneur knows that a happy work life means a happy home life, and vice versa.

I studied time management, participated in a few seminars and read a few books on the subject. As a result, I was able to translate takeaways into my daily work schedule. Soon, daunting tasks appeared more feasible, which helped relieve stress from the daily grind and help me focus. I also educated my executive leadership teams and asked them to do the same with their employees.

 

Final thoughts

Leadership challenges will surface. The best way towards resolution is a constant flow of education and the ability to learn from other people’s mistakes and successes. These five lessons address some of the most common leadership challenges, which when eliminated, can help your company get to the next level — one we all seek.

 

This article has been edited.

Obinna Ekezie is the co-founder and CEO of Wakanow.com, the leading full-service, inbound and outbound online travel company in Africa. Connect with @obinnaekezie on Twitter.

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