Are you confusing control with leadership?

Many managers believe they're leading when they're really exerting their control. It's a terrible trait that doesn’t deliver long term success, and will make staff look for the exit.

It can come from being driven by power, but it can also come from fear, insecurity, lack of trust, inexperience, pressure and simply being unaware. It’s not uncommon, and if you want to be a great leader then you need to make sure it's not one of the things you do.

🏴‍☠️ You're more focused on pushing your agenda than hearing ideas from your team… that’s control.

🔶 Leadership is… seeking all perspectives and actively getting input from your team.

🏴‍☠️ You micromanage every detail and require approval for minor decisions… that's control.

🔶 Leadership is… empowering your team, providing clear objectives and then trusting them to succeed.

🏴‍☠️ You take credit for the team’s success but blame others for failures… that's control.

🔶 Leadership is… sharing the credit and taking responsibility when things go wrong.

🏴‍☠️ You withhold information to maintain power… that's control.

🔶 Leadership is… transparency and sharing information freely to keep their team informed.

🏴‍☠️ You expect immediate responses at all hours and don't respect boundaries…that's control.

🔶 Leadership is… respecting work-life boundaries.

Are you a leader, or are you really controlling?