A great trait in leaders is the ability to handle being at the top so effortlessly, you wonder if they have ever doubted themselves. However, leaders do struggle and make mistakes.

Les McKeown recently wrote an article in Inc. about three things every great leader gets wrong and how we think they can be improved.

Serious Time Management

Leaders work at a strategic level. They have to spend time around things that are really important and where their strengths lie. Because they work at a higher level, they consistently underestimate how long it takes to get work done. McKeown estimates visionary leaders have a seven-time perception error. If they say they will do something in an hour, it usually takes a day.

How to fix it: Prioritize the many demands you have and spend time on those that are central to the business’s needs. Take one task at a time and get it done before moving on to the next.

Importance of People and Ideas

Leaders tend to categorize everything from ideas to people. McKeown says visionary leaders fall prey to categorizing everything at extremes. “An idea is either brilliant or it sucks. There’s no in-between. People are either for us or against us,” he says.

How to fix it: Today’s employment is at-will so it’s critical to understand people, be fair, and want the best in them. Make yourself available if questions or problems come up, inspire confidence in your employees, and let them know you support them.

What People Hear You Say

McKeown says the most damaging trait visionary leaders are subject to is their inability to truly comprehend what others have heard them say.

How to fix it: Great leaders know every interaction is an opportunity to connect with people in ways that are relatable and professional.

Great leaders stand apart because they get results. They have a clear vision and can turn it into a vivid picture others can see. Leading is challenging, and leaders aren’t perfect. If you want to be a great leader, make sure you aren’t making one of these three errors.

What other things do you see leaders doing wrong? How would you fix it? 

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