10 Things Successful Leaders Never Tolerate

Successful leadership is the product of several factors. Skill and education play a part, but one of the most important hallmarks of great leaders is the standards they uphold. That means building good habits of action and thought, and drawing a firm line at things that are unacceptable. It’s about what they do, but it’s also about what they’ll never take part in or allow in their team.

Here are some top examples:

1. Inertia. The reality of leadership is this that yesterday’s results become today’s status quo. Leaders need to constantly be moving forward and prepared to seize opportunities. Inaction is incompatible with strong leadership.

2. Poor communication. The best leaders put communication at the heart of their leadership. Their communication is timely, clear, and appropriate, and they expect the same of those around them—because communication is a two-way street.

3. Mediocrity. Successful leaders are ordinary people who aspire to the extraordinary. They’re constantly looking to break through expectations—their own and other people’s—and they’re never interested in hearing “good enough.”

4. Ambivalence. Successful leaders don’t have the time or patience for indecision. They understand that to achieve success, you must put aside fear and doubt, pick a course and stick to it. Their decisions are grounded in knowledge and strategic thought, but they don’t waffle or create subcommittees to examine every detail first.

5. Toxic relationships. Successful leaders don’t waste their valuable time and energy on negative relationships. They set boundaries, distance themselves from negativity and redirect their focus firmly on the positive. Positivity is fuel for progress.

6. Dishonesty. Successful leaders understand that dishonesty destroys reputations and, ultimately, success. If you can’t be counted on to be honest, what kind of leader are you?

7. Disrespect. Successful leaders treat every person they encounter with respect. They earn respect, in part, because of their willingness to show respect to others, and they don’t allow anyone around them to be treated disrespectfully or to be disrespectful.

8. Fear. Leaders are human, and no one is without fear. But the best leaders understand that to succeed, they must tackle their fears and move through them to succeed. They feel their fear and keep going.

9. Negativity. Successful leaders avoid negativity because they know it can only hold them back. Nothing good comes from being negative; negativity only breeds more negativity.

10. Lack of integrity. Successful leaders understand the importance of integrity. Anyone around them who lacks integrity compromises their work, their team and their leadership. They lead with character in everything they do, and they expect others to do the same.

There are many more things successful leaders don’t tolerate—this list is just a few of the most important. Let it remind you to keep your tolerance low when it comes to compromising who you are and who you can become.

Lead from within: To build a successful career and life as a leader, know where you draw the line on anything that can harm your leadership and your team.

 


 

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.

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Photo Credit: iStock Photos


Lolly Daskal is one of the most sought-after executive leadership coaches in the world. Her extensive cross-cultural expertise spans 14 countries, six languages and hundreds of companies. As founder and CEO of Lead From Within, her proprietary leadership program is engineered to be a catalyst for leaders who want to enhance performance and make a meaningful difference in their companies, their lives, and the world.

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.

  1. John Keyser

    07. Feb, 2019

    This article captures the principles of highly effective leadership. I like it a lot.

    Reply to this comment
  2. Ahsan Mahmood

    09. Feb, 2019

    Good day and greetings,
    Madam, I have just read your “10 Things Successful Leaders Never Tolerate” and really enjoyed your conclusions. No doubt in it and any leader who has acquired glorious fame and respect definitely followed certain principles in life. To me every leader has to acquire something from others that refines his personality as a leader. Each one of us are gifted with many things by the God and we look into our inner side and decides what to acquire and how much to acquire and what to leave and at which level its be stopped thus making ourselves more acceptable to our actual personality that God created. Once we as human start understanding our strengths and weaknesses only than we can shape ourselves as leaders. I have thought over your every word in totality and its relationship to our leadership qualities and found highly informative, useful and gained knowledge. Thanks

    Reply to this comment
  3. Travis

    10. Feb, 2019

    Great leaders will unquestionably not tolerate the above-mentioned actions of others, In addition, persons can look to deride and challenge your authority. Do not hesitate to take swift action against those that jeopardize your success. Thank you for sharing.
    http://travisduchi.weebly.com/blog/a-leader-is

    Reply to this comment
  4. Ahmad Mushtaq

    17. Oct, 2019

    I agree with all of them but Great Leaders will not stop learning from his experience.

    Reply to this comment

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