Don’t Let Strengths Be Weaknesses (Management Tip # 2 082916)

Many of the qualities responsible for getting us where we are today can also hold us back. Watch out for these three double-edged traits:

• Persistence. Willingness to persevere despite obstacles has created many great innovations and is often the foundation for successful start-ups. However, persistence can easily turn to stubbornness. Stick with your ideas when you know you are right and have supporting evidence. Be willing to abandon your position when signs show you need help or redirection.

• Control. Early phases of company growth require the founder to be involved in all operations. But as the company scales, that maniacal attention to detail can be counterproductive. Recognize the importance of delegation and let go when it’s time.

• Loyalty. Close ties inevitably form when people work together day in and out, and loyal relationships can yield great results. However, you need to know when loyalty is clouding your judgment in assessing capabilities and skill gaps.

Change Your Behavior

Developing yourself as a leader is not easy, behavioral change is hard, time consuming, and frustrating. However, removing the five most common roadblocks to change can make your path to self- improvement better:

• Take ownership. If you don’t think you can change, you can’t. Believe in your ability to change and take ownership before getting started.

• Be patient. Positive, lasting results take time, usually 50 percent to 100 percent longer than most people initially think.

• Accept difficulties. Real change takes real work. When setting out, be prepared to face challenges you didn’t anticipate.

• Refuse to be distracted. Something more important will inevitably come up. You need to make your development a priority and refuse to let distractions divert your path.

• Maintain. Once you’ve started to see traction, don’t declare victory. Sustainable change requires maintenance over a lifetime.