It’s only lonely at the top, IF you don’t align yourself with a capable and committed Crew!

Successful Business Leaders KNOW that they don’t have to go at it alone and engage with their Crew in the form of coaches, mentors, and other OBJECTIVE leaders. These Objective leaders have NO other agenda than to see that you are successful.

Below are common mistakes that keep leaders lonely:

Mistake 1: Tell your direct reports your problems

The truth is that often, as “the boss,” it’s difficult to get real, honest feedback from the people you are paying. Those who report to you are apt to be politically correct rather than be honest with you and tell you what you might not want to hear. This is solved with the magic of a mastermind group – a “Crew” of people who have a variety of business and leadership experience to empathize and strategize with you.

Mistake 2: Hire People just like you or Fire people who disagree with you

Perhaps you find yourself hiring and surrounding yourself with people just like you. This is a huge mistake. Leaders who exhibit a different opinion from your own, might result in a conflict. However when we know how to stay during a conflict and listen for the 2% truth in what someone is saying, we oftentimes open up our limited viewpoint and can challenge the status quo in a unified way.

Mistake 3: Delegate or Micromanage

Most really lonely people only know how to either delegate or micromanage their workload. You can solve this by learning how to guide and collaborate with your direct reports. The next time you find yourself delegating or providing someone with to many details, ask the question, “How might we …(insert desired result here)?” and encourage whatever ideas or questions they have. By listening, discussing and mutually planning, we may find a solution far better than we could on our own.

Mistake 4: Tell your boss (or if you work for yourself your client) your problems:

Oftentimes, I work with leaders who go to their boss for coaching and mentoring. The problem with this is that your boss or client really is your sponsor. They are paying you to do work. They need you AND your team to be cohesive. So if you have a problem with a work situation, it’s difficult for your sponsor to be completely on your Crew.

Mistake 5: Go to your friend or family with your work problems

Although your family may offer you emotional support, consider if or how much they can speak to what is happening in your particular industry and work situation? Business Coaches know how to listen deeply – we call this transformational listening and we have strategic experience to get you to the next level. Stay tuned for more about Transformational Listening in my next blog.


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