16 Things Successful Leaders Never Do
“Not doing,” is one side of finding success.
- Never let the bottom line be the bottom line.
- Never pretend things are ok when they aren’t.
- Never let what you’ve never done be the reason not to try.
- Never get ahead by resenting those who get ahead.
- Never let those who aren’t doing something prevent you for doing something.
- Never do on the road what you wouldn’t do at home.
- Never trust anyone who never admits mistakes.
- Never achieve greatness through negativity.
- Never pretend you can do what you can’t.
- Never let others fail before doing everything appropriate to help them succeed.
- “An executive has never suffered because his subordinates were strong and effective.” Peter Drucker
- Never find wisdom in excuses, defensiveness, or blame.
- Never think loyalty is a gift.
- Never waffle when it comes to taking responsibility.
- Never waver when it comes to giving credit.
- Never make excuses. “Never make excuses. Your friends don’t need them and your foes won’t believe them.” JohnWooden
Bonus: Never create the future by recreating the past.
What should leaders never do?
Which of these is most important to you?
What ever happened to don’t ever say never?
Perfect world scenario never would work, unfortunately we know the answer to a perfect world. As always eye opening advice.
thanks
Tim
Great seeing you Tim… Never say never… thanks! 🙂 … Never write a blog that says never… 🙂
Great advice….
thanks…
Never be afraid. “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself” – FDR
thanks for adding to the conversation, Carol.
Dear Dan,
Thanks once again for a brilliant article. My favourites are;
5. Never let those who aren’t doing something prevent you for
doing something. and
15. Never waver when it comes to giving credit.
Also i’ll like to add;
a. Never threaten your subordinates/staff with performance
appraisal.
b. Never intimidate junior staff with your position/profile.
Oooo great adds! Thanks. I remember being threatened because I was sticking to one of my values…. Anyone who is threatening you has already lost.
I never would have expected this… From your “normal style” its inside out.. Still thought stimulating. As a self examination tool I find myself saying “well I guess I’ve done that”.. “wow, I have felt the strong tug of that one..” (on and on..)
Thanks Ken…most of what I write speaks to my own “tugs,” successes, failures, frailties, and learnings….. thanks for sharing your responses…
Hi Dan,
Loved the John Wooden quote, I had the opportunity to sit beside him at our awards dinner many years ago and what an impressive man. One of those life experineces you never forget.
One of the hardest for me personally has been “never pretend things are ok when they are not.” There are times we are working on confidential projects that will have a negative impact on someone(s) but due to confidentiality and/or timing we are not privileged to share the information until a later date. It’s tough to do, but sometimes in our industry necessary and appropriate.
Don
Congrats on having a life experience with Wooden… UCLA was in it’s hay day when I was in High School…what a dynasty.
I love how you flesh out the idea that transparency and authenticity make room for confidentiality. Successful leaders NEVER just spill their guts…
Awesome post!
Thanks True
Hi Dan
I just want to ask if you object to our organisation using your blog posts to circulate to our members. We are the Willow Creek Assoc in South Africa and we are always looking for great leadership articles for our blog. We want to be sure there are no copyright issues and make sure we do the right thing.
Thanks Janine
Always great seeing you here and on twitter. I’m honored by your support and interest in passing the word along. Please feel free to use articles you feel resonate with your mission and audience. Thanks for giving credit when you pass things along.
BTW, I recently had a conversation with the leader of the Willow Creek Canada efforts… he’s an amazing person. Perhaps someday we’ll connect also.
“Never do things you don’t believe in, life is too short for that.” by Patrick Dixon
is one which is written on every notebook I have since I met Patrick.
KaPow!
Thanks for the bonus. Just the inspiration I needed today.
Never pass on a person or miss a moment that deserves recognition and/or celebration. Life is too short.
Never lose your vision of what can be. It will be your light
Never lose your sense of humor, especially about yourself. Human beings are, at their core, very funny, especially when they think they are being serious. (If you don’t think so, go watch some NFL—topical joke)
Great Post Dan, Thanks to you and to all the additions from commentors. If I may………
Never say “yes” when you feel maybe or no.
Never let the character of others drive your character. Interchange character with behavior, attitudes, words, beliefs, vision, etc.
Hi, by reading your article, I figured out -it should be published as a “guideline” ! Thank’s.
Dear Dan,
The most important point that I like is ; leaders never trusts who never admits mistakes. The other points that leaders never do are- they never believe in impossibility, they never carry impression, they never repent on past, they never think for money, they never think for position on the cost of others career, they never look for their personal development etc.
Even the most important thing that leaders do is they never belief on perception.
This list really captures some of the biggest things you see potential leaders do and then afterwards think, “why would they have ever done that?”. I think this list does a great job of outlining some key things that I never see the great leaders I’ve come across do. Thanks for sharing in such a simple format!
A great list to hang above your desk so you can glance at it daily- Thanks!
Great post! Thanks 🙂
Thanks for the great advice.
During this recent election, a team mate joined the candidate bashing on her facebook. Here’s what I learned:
Never post political comments on facebook; your best client might like the opposition.