Business owners and leaders are under a lot of pressure to perform in the current economy. However, as leaders work to meet goals, many lose sight of employees’ best interests.
Fast Company shares three leadership red flags to avoid and how to rectify the issue if you are engaging in such behaviors.
- You set unrealistic expectations. Researchers have found setting unrealistic goals is common but achieving them is not. When leaders set overly ambitious goals, it harms team morale and lowers employee engagement. If your team frequently fails to meet its goals, try collaborating with team members to set more attainable goals and timelines. Consider your company’s recent performance when setting goals; if the team has recently achieved something significant, it may be equipped to take on an ambitious goal. If not, focus on smaller wins until you are prepared to go after bigger goals.
- You are “always on” and expect the same from others. Hustle culture has worsened in recent years. Most companies do not have an official policy for contacting employees after work, so employees look to their leaders for cues. If you are “always on,” employees will assume the same is expected of them, and productivity and creativity suffer when employees do not have downtime. Leaders must set an example of work-life balance by getting rest, making time for holidays and hobbies, and communicating reduced availability to colleagues. If employees see you value your free time, they will believe you value theirs. Unless an issue is urgent, leaders should not contact employees after hours.
- You do not make yourself available. Employees get nervous when managers or leaders are unavailable. They lose sight of the greater organizational purpose, and their daily tasks feel less meaningful. Being a visible leader is crucial for your company’s culture, boosting collaboration and engagement. You can leave your door open when you are not engaged in deep-focus work; use calendar tools to block out time for “office hours”; and share your schedule with your team. This shows employees you are consistently approachable during designated times.
