Leadership is all about connecting and relating with those you lead. It’s about building trust and fostering a positive work environment. However, there are certain situations where it’s crucial to keep your leadership distance.
As a leader, here are the four critical times you must keep your distance:
When you play favorites: Favoritism is a surefire way to erode trust and create division among your team. When you show favoritism, it sends a message that some employees are more valuable than others, and this can lead to resentment and negative feelings. As a leader, it’s important to be fair and impartial in your decision-making and interactions with your team.
When your judgement is being questioned: As a leader, your judgement is crucial to the success of your team. However, there may be times when your judgement is called into question. When this happens, it’s important to keep your distance and listen to the concerns of your team. Take time to reflect on the situation and consider different perspectives. Be open to feedback and be willing to make changes if necessary.
When you have crossed boundaries: Boundaries are essential in any relationship, and this includes the relationship between a leader and their team. When you cross boundaries, it can make people uncomfortable and damage trust. As a leader, it’s important to be aware of your actions and to be mindful of the impact they may have on others. If you find yourself crossing boundaries, take a step back and reassess your actions.
When you have the inability to lead: Leadership is not just about being in a position of power, but about having the ability to lead and inspire others. When you lack the skills or experience to lead effectively, it’s best to step back and let someone else take the reins. As a leader, this allows you to focus on developing your leadership skills and learning from those who are more experienced.
In conclusion, employees need a leader they can trust, not someone who makes them feel uncomfortable. As a leader, it’s important to be aware of these critical times when it may be necessary to keep your leadership distance.
Lead From Within: At the end of the day, leadership is about making those they lead comfortable and trusted if they cannot do that, a leader must distance themselves.
#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E R
The Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness
After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
- 12 Successful Leadership Principles That Never Grow Old
- A Leadership Manifesto: A Guide To Greatness
- How to Succeed as A New Leader
- 12 of The Most Common Lies Leaders Tell Themselves
- 4 Proven Reasons Why Intuitive Leaders Make Great Leaders
- The One Quality Every Leader Needs To Succeed
- The Deception Trap of Leadership
Of Lolly’s many awards and accolades, Lolly was designated a Top-50 Leadership and Management Expert by Inc. magazine. Huffington Post honored Lolly with the title of The Most Inspiring Woman in the World. Her writing has appeared in HBR, Inc.com, Fast Company (Ask The Expert), Huffington Post, and Psychology Today, and others. Her newest book, The Leadership Gap: What Gets Between You and Your Greatness has become a national bestseller.