There are no perfect leaders—except for Jesus.
For the rest of us, we each have room for improvement. Most of us live with flaws in our leadership, and the more we mature the more aware we become of them. Good leaders learn to surround themselves with people who can supplement their weaknesses.
There are, however, some leadership traits that a leader can never delegate away. If the leader can’t work through them, in my opinion, their leadership will be crippled. With these traits, the best the leader has to offer will never fully materialize.
These leadership traits will eventually wreck a leader’s success.
Here are eight dangerous leadership traits:
Immoral character
If the leader’s character is flawed, the leadership will be flawed. A leader can never escape the quality of his or her heart.
Assuming everyone’s support
Leaders seldom hear the complete story unless they pursue it. Environments have to be created that produce transparency and honesty. Even in the healthiest organizations there will always be things a leader doesn’t know.
Assuming everyone understands
In my experience, most leaders think they are communicating effectively. What’s clear to them they assume is clear to others. It’s usually not as clear as the leader thinks. Good leaders ask lots of questions to identify the level of clarity.
Continually avoiding conflict
Conflict never, ever, ever goes away. Ever. Unresolved conflict damages the strength and integrity of organizational health. It may get ignored, overlooked or stifled, but until conflict is dealt with, it continues to stir strife in an organization.
Pretending to have all the answers
The less a leader listens to others, the less others will desire to help the leader succeed. Arrogant leaders never attract the best from people. Great leaders invite input, knowing that with more people involved, decisions will be stronger and more buy-in will be achieved.