Here's a truth I know, but I needed to hear it again from a trusted voice: Leadership is not just about what you do—it’s also about what you don’t do. Many leaders unknowingly develop habits that limit their effectiveness, drain their energy, and hinder their teams.
Who is the trusted voice? Craig Groeschel on his leadership podcast. Craig has a way of saying things in ways that are relatable and actionable. Let's take a look at three fo the habits that great leaders avoid.
1. The Habit of Doing Too Much
Many leaders fall into the trap of thinking that the more they do, the more they will accomplish. While this might seem logical, it often leads to exhaustion and inefficiency. Overcommitting yourself to too many tasks doesn’t make you a great leader—it makes you an overwhelmed one.
Great leaders understand the power of prioritization. They don’t just work harder; they work smarter. Instead of trying to do everything, they focus on doing what matters most. This involves:
Leadership isn’t about doing it all—it’s about ensuring the most important things get done.
2. The Habit of Avoiding Conflict
Many leaders fear conflict, thinking it will damage relationships. However, avoiding conflict only leads to unresolved tension and bigger problems down the road. Conflict is not the enemy; unresolved conflict is.
Instead of ignoring issues, great leaders address them head-on with wisdom and grace. They change their mindset about conflict, seeing it as an opportunity for growth rather than something to fear. Conflict in leadership is much like conflict in a healthy marriage—it’s not about winning or losing but about strengthening the relationship.
To handle conflict well, leaders should:
When handled correctly, conflict builds trust, refines ideas, and strengthens teams.
3. The Habit of Doing What You’ve Always Done
Change is uncomfortable, but stagnation is dangerous. Many leaders continue using outdated methods simply because they’ve worked in the past. However, what worked yesterday might not work today.
The best leaders are adaptable. They recognize when old strategies no longer serve their mission and are willing to evolve. To ensure they’re growing, leaders should ask themselves:
Leadership requires constant evaluation and willingness to adjust. If you’re not changing, you’re not growing.
Great leadership isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing the right things. By avoiding the habits of overcommitting, dodging conflict, and resisting change, you’ll create a leadership style that is intentional, impactful, and enduring. Now is the time to lead with focus, courage, and adaptability!
Who is the trusted voice? Craig Groeschel on his leadership podcast. Craig has a way of saying things in ways that are relatable and actionable. Let's take a look at three fo the habits that great leaders avoid.
1. The Habit of Doing Too Much
Many leaders fall into the trap of thinking that the more they do, the more they will accomplish. While this might seem logical, it often leads to exhaustion and inefficiency. Overcommitting yourself to too many tasks doesn’t make you a great leader—it makes you an overwhelmed one.
Great leaders understand the power of prioritization. They don’t just work harder; they work smarter. Instead of trying to do everything, they focus on doing what matters most. This involves:
- Evaluating tasks and categorizing them based on their impact.
- Eliminating unnecessary tasks that don’t contribute to long-term goals.
- Delegating responsibilities to empower others and create a stronger team.
- Automating repetitive processes to free up time for higher-impact work.
Leadership isn’t about doing it all—it’s about ensuring the most important things get done.
2. The Habit of Avoiding Conflict
Many leaders fear conflict, thinking it will damage relationships. However, avoiding conflict only leads to unresolved tension and bigger problems down the road. Conflict is not the enemy; unresolved conflict is.
Instead of ignoring issues, great leaders address them head-on with wisdom and grace. They change their mindset about conflict, seeing it as an opportunity for growth rather than something to fear. Conflict in leadership is much like conflict in a healthy marriage—it’s not about winning or losing but about strengthening the relationship.
To handle conflict well, leaders should:
- Address problems early before they escalate.
- Approach conversations with a desire to understand and restore relationships.
- Give team members the benefit of the doubt and seek solutions rather than blame.
When handled correctly, conflict builds trust, refines ideas, and strengthens teams.
3. The Habit of Doing What You’ve Always Done
Change is uncomfortable, but stagnation is dangerous. Many leaders continue using outdated methods simply because they’ve worked in the past. However, what worked yesterday might not work today.
The best leaders are adaptable. They recognize when old strategies no longer serve their mission and are willing to evolve. To ensure they’re growing, leaders should ask themselves:
- Is this approach still aligned with our goals?
- Are we doing this because it’s effective or just because it’s familiar?
- Where are we seeing diminishing returns?
- If someone new stepped into my role, what’s the first thing they’d change?
Leadership requires constant evaluation and willingness to adjust. If you’re not changing, you’re not growing.
Great leadership isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing the right things. By avoiding the habits of overcommitting, dodging conflict, and resisting change, you’ll create a leadership style that is intentional, impactful, and enduring. Now is the time to lead with focus, courage, and adaptability!
Posted in Lead U