Mistakes to Avoid to Be a Successful Leader

W Darrow Fiedler
2 min readApr 20, 2020

No leader is perfect, but there are some major mistakes to avoid in order to be successful. While mistakes can be used as great building blocks for better knowledge as a leader, there are some that are not worth making. To be a successful leader and boost your team’s productivity and performance, avoid these common mistakes:

Being a Know-It-All

When some managers or high-level employees are put into roles of leadership, it’s easy for them to think they know everything there is to know. A know-it-all leader is very dangerous and can lead to early failure. A leader should understand that there is no way for them to know everything there is about their industry, how to lead, or how to be successful. Every successful leader will know that there is always room for improvement and learning new knowledge.

Constantly Micromanaging

A leader is only as strong and successful as their team. In order to have a successfully performing team, it’s important for a leader to not fight for control over everything, Micromanaging a team is never the solution for boosting productivity or allow for growth. Successful leaders understand that everyone has their own unique skills and strengths, and allowing them to shine is imperative in business. By giving your team and employees more responsibility to work on their own, they’ll be much more successful.

Unable to Give or Recieve Feedback

As a leader, it’s important to grasp the concept that nobody is perfect. It’s important to give your team helpful feedback to help them perform better. It’s even more important to give positive feedback and give credit where credit is due. If an employee delivers a performance that is above and beyond, it’s imperative to recognize them for their hard work. Leaders should also be open to receiving feedback as well. If their team has questions, comments, or concerns, it’s their job to address each one seriously and diligently.

By avoiding these mistakes, a leader is not only ensuring their success but their team’s as well. Success doesn’t happen overnight, but avoiding these mistakes can help you get their faster.

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W Darrow Fiedler
W Darrow Fiedler

Written by W Darrow Fiedler

W Darrow Fiedler is a successful, experienced managing director and franchise investor at Keller Williams Realty. darrowfiedler.com

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