How to Break Bad Leadership Habits and Boost Productivity
We all have bad habits—nobody’s perfect. But what happens when your bad habits, especially those tied to your leadership style, undermine workplace productivity?
You probably already know the answer: these habits can be problematic—even catastrophic. Yet, so many leaders assume their roles with blinders on, unaware of the habits they need to break, how to break them, or the impact these habits have on productivity—or all of the above!
The good news? If you’ve fallen into the all-too-common “bad habits trap,” we have actionable strategies to help you resist, rise, and thrive.
Take Action Today:
1. Stop Micromanaging: Empower Your Team
Hovering over your team stifles creativity and morale. On the other hand, complete hands-off freedom can result in a lack of accountability.
Solution:
- Strike a balance by delegating tasks effectively.
- Empower your team with the tools, training, and resources they need.
- Encourage problem-solving by tapping into the collective brainpower of your employees.
2. Fix Communication Breakdowns
Interrupting, dismissing ideas, or simply not listening erodes trust and respect within your team.
Solution:
- Ask a mentor or business consultant to evaluate your communication style.
- Set three communication goals for the next quarter.
- Actively listen, engage, and seek constructive feedback to monitor your progress.
3. Avoid the Victim Mindset
Blaming others for setbacks undermines collaboration and damages workplace relationships.
Solution:
- Use empowering affirmations to take ownership of challenges.
- Identify triggers for victim-like thinking and minimize exposure to them.
- Shift from blame to proactive problem-solving. Resist the temptation to play the blame game!
4. Plan Your Day with Purpose
Starting your day without clear goals can lead to inefficiency and missed opportunities.
Solution:
- Outline your daily priorities the night before.
- Use tools like project management software to track tasks and progress—or simply write your goals on paper.
- Begin each day with a clear vision of what you want to accomplish.
5. Stay Focused: Eliminate Distractions
Many leaders fall into the trap of overcommitting, chasing “shiny objects,” or being pulled in multiple directions.
Solution:
- Identify what truly matters and focus your energy there.
- Develop a system to manage priorities and keep yourself accountable.
- Practice saying “no” to distractions or non-essential tasks.
Start Fresh: A New Year, A New You
The New Year is just around the corner, making it the perfect time to reflect and take action on the habits that hinder your leadership potential.
But beware: most people, including many leaders, struggle to stick to their resolutions. Bring in coaching, strategic planning tools, and accountability systems to stay on track with your leadership development. Make sure the new habits you adopt are achievable—break lofty goals into smaller, manageable steps if necessary.
Finally, remember this: great leaders don’t go it alone. Don’t hesitate to ask for help.
Break bad habits and see real results. Contact MAP Consulting today!
