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Why Most Leaders Fail (And How You Won't)

Why Most Leaders Fail (And How You Won't)

Justin Mecham
July 29, 2024

Hey Full Potential Zoners!

58% of managers feel they are unprepared for leadership. (CareerBuilder)

This leaves many feeling lost and stressed.

The great news:

Anyone can learn to lead effectively.

How?

First, a BIG thanks to this week’s sponsor:

Wynter is actively looking for professionals, C-suite, executives, and founders to become research participants.

Participate in surveys and 1-1 meetings, get paid for your feedback and comments.

Up to $600/hr. Super low-key commitment (usually 2-7 mins).

Free to sign up.

Leadership has a profound impact on lives.

Every decision and action matters.

Today we are going to help leaders master this by using:

‘The Pyramid of Leadership'.

Let’s dive in!

Download PDF at Bottom of Email

7 Key Lessons to Learn

Adaptability
- What it is: Adjusting to new situations and challenges.
- Why it is important: Staying flexible helps leaders and teams stay effective in a changing environment.
- Actionable steps to improve: Seek out new learning experiences regularly and adjust your strategies based on feedback and trends.
Empathy
- What it is: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others.
- Why it is important: Builds trust and loyalty within the team.
- Actionable steps to improve: Practice active listening and schedule regular one-on-one check-ins to understand team members' concerns.
Ethical Leadership
- What it is: Leading with integrity and consistency.
- Why it is important: Inspires trust and sets a positive example for the team.
- Actionable steps to improve: Create a clear code of ethics and hold everyone accountable to these standards.
  - Especially yourself.
Strategic Thinking
- What it is: Setting clear goals and developing plans to achieve them.
- Why it is important: Ensures efforts are aligned with long-term objectives.
- Actionable steps to improve: Break down large goals into smaller tasks and review progress regularly.
Communication
- What it is: Sharing information clearly and effectively.
- Why it is important: Prevents misunderstandings and aligns the team.
- Actionable steps to improve: Be transparent in your communication and encourage open dialogue.
Collaboration
- What it is: Working together towards common goals.
- Why it is important: Leverages team strengths for better outcomes.
- Actionable steps to improve: Create opportunities for teamwork and recognize collaborative efforts.
Self-Awareness
- What it is: Understanding your strengths, weaknesses, and impact on others.
- Why it is important: Helps make better decisions and creates stronger relationships.
- Actionable steps to improve: Seek feedback from peers and reflect on your actions regularly to improve your leadership style.

Adaptability

A company hired me to help them face a sudden and significant change in the market: A key competitor launched a new product that quickly gained popularity, causing their sales to drop.

This unexpected shift put immense pressure on their team to adapt quickly to the new market conditions.

The team felt overwhelmed and uncertain about how to respond to this new challenge.

Morale was low, and there was a sense of urgency to find a solution that would allow them to regain their competitive edge.

The lack of a clear plan led to confusion and a lack of direction.

I decided to address the situation by leveraging adaptability and mental clarity.

Here’s how I did it:

Assess the Situation

I called an emergency meeting to discuss the new market conditions and gather insights from their teams.

We reviewed the competitor’s product and identified its strengths and weaknesses.

Develop a Flexible Plan

We brainstormed potential strategies to counter the competitor’s advantage.

This included revising their product features, improving customer service, and exploring new marketing tactics.

We prioritized actions that could be implemented quickly and had the highest potential impact.

Communicate Clearly

I ensured that everyone understood the new plan and their roles in executing it.

Clear communication was crucial to prevent misunderstandings and keep the team aligned.

Encourage Open Feedback

Throughout the process, I encouraged team members to share their thoughts and concerns.

This allowed them to make necessary adjustments and keep everyone engaged.

Stay Informed and Adapt

We continuously monitored the market and competitor actions.

This helped them stay agile and make real-time adjustments to their new strategy.

Results

By applying these steps, they were able to respond effectively to the market changes, improve their product offering, and regain their competitive edge.

This experience reinforced the importance of adaptability and the power of mental clarity in navigating challenges.

Here's how you can make it real over the next 4 days:

Day 1: Reflect and Set Goals

Choose one of the 7 key lessons you want to work on this week.
Spend 15 minutes reflecting on why you chose this lesson (Adaptability, Empathy, Ethical Leadership, etc.).
- Identify specific areas you want to improve.
Write down three specific goals related to this lesson.
- For example, if you chose Adaptability, a goal might be to stay calm and focused during unexpected changes.
ChatGPT Prompt to Help: "Help me reflect on why I chose to improve [Adaptability/Empathy/Ethical Leadership/etc.]. How can I set three specific goals to work on this lesson? Provide simple steps to identify and write down these goals.”

Day 2: Practice a Key Behavior

Implement a specific behavior related to your chosen lesson.
- For Adaptability, this might be to actively seek feedback from your team on a recent change.
Focus on one behavior and practice it throughout the day.
- Take notes on how it impacts your interactions and outcomes.
ChatGPT Prompt to Help: "Guide me on how to practice a key behavior related to [Adaptability/Empathy/Ethical Leadership/etc.] today. What specific action can I take and how should I observe its impact on my interactions and outcomes?"

Day 3: Seek Feedback

Ask for feedback from a colleague or team member on your progress with the chosen lesson.
Be open to both positive and constructive feedback.
- Use this input to refine your approach and make adjustments as needed.
ChatGPT Prompt to Help: "Help me prepare to ask for feedback from a colleague on my progress with [Adaptability/Empathy/Ethical Leadership/etc.]. What questions should I ask, and how can I use their feedback to make improvements?"

Day 4: Reflect and Plan Ahead

Reflect on your experiences from the past three days.
- Assess your progress and identify any challenges you faced.
Plan how you will continue to apply what you’ve learned in the coming weeks.
- Set new goals or adjust existing ones based on your reflections.
ChatGPT Prompt to Help: "Assist me in reflecting on my experiences over the past three days working on [Adaptability/Empathy/Ethical Leadership/etc.]. How can I assess my progress, identify challenges, and plan future steps for continued improvement?"

The Pyramid of Leadership shows that leadership is built step by step.

Each level represents key qualities that together create a strong leader.

As you move through these levels, remember that learning and growth never stop.

This journey shapes you into a more effective and inspiring leader.

Until next week and with lots of love,

Justin

This Week’s Growth Recommendations

Book To Read:

"How to Create a Winning Organization" by John Wooden and Steve Jamison (see it here)

TED Talk to Watch

"The difference between winning and succeeding" by John Wooden (see it here)