12 Common Leadership Mistakes and How to Avoid Them: A Lean Leader's Guide
Ernesto Flores
Bilingual Sr. Manufacturing Operations Manager | Quality and Continuous Improvement Manager| HSEQ Manager | Open to Relocation | 2 Plants startups and Several Line Installations in Automotive, Oil & Gas, FMCG and Retail.
In the fast-paced world of Lean Manufacturing, effective leadership isn’t just about driving results—it’s about striking the right balance between strengths and their potential pitfalls. As leaders, our greatest assets can sometimes become our biggest challenges if not managed wisely. Here are 12 common leadership mistakes and how to navigate them effectively.
1/ Praise: The Double-Edged Sword
→ Praise your team. Recognizing accomplishments boosts morale and motivates your team. But be mindful—overpraising can dilute its impact and may lead to complacency. Instead, be specific and intentional with your praise, focusing on behaviors that align with your team's goals and values.
Example: Imagine a production team that consistently meets their targets. Instead of general praise like "Great job!", highlight specific actions like, "Your attention to detail on the assembly line has really improved our defect rate."
2/ Open Communication: Encouraging Dialogue Without Disruption
→ Encourage open communication. A transparent environment fosters trust and innovation. However, constant interruptions can disrupt workflow and diminish productivity. Set clear guidelines for communication, such as designated times for feedback or suggestions, ensuring that dialogue enhances rather than hinders efficiency.
Example: In a Lean environment, consider implementing a “Kaizen corner” where team members can post improvement ideas that are reviewed at set intervals, rather than interrupting daily operations.
3/ Offering Help: Supporting Without Overstepping
→ Offer help when needed. As a leader, being hands-on shows you’re invested in your team’s success. But be cautious of micromanaging—taking over tasks can stifle your team’s growth. Instead, empower your team to solve problems, stepping in only when necessary.
Example: If a team member is struggling with a new process, guide them through the first steps, then step back and let them take ownership, providing support as needed.
4/ Approachability: Being Accessible While Maintaining Authority
→ Be approachable. Open-door policies encourage a culture of inclusivity and trust. But be careful—too much approachability can blur professional boundaries. Maintain a balance by being available yet clear on expectations and boundaries.
Example: Set regular office hours for team consultations, ensuring you’re available without being constantly interrupted.
5/ Empathy: Balancing Compassion with Professionalism
→ Show empathy for personal issues. Understanding your team’s challenges fosters loyalty and respect. But ensure you maintain professional boundaries to keep the focus on work. Offer support, but know when to redirect conversations back to professional objectives.
Example: If a team member is facing personal difficulties, express your support, then discuss how they can manage their workload effectively during this time.
6/ Constructive Feedback: Honesty with a Purpose
→ Provide constructive feedback. Honest feedback is crucial for growth. However, sugarcoating criticism too much can dilute its effectiveness. Be direct but compassionate, focusing on specific behaviors and offering actionable advice.
Example: Instead of saying, "You might want to improve your time management," try, "I’ve noticed delays in recent projects—let’s work together on strategies to manage your time more effectively."
7/ Patience: Encouraging Growth Without Enabling Negligence
→ Be patient with mistakes. Mistakes are learning opportunities, but repeated negligence should be addressed promptly. Set clear expectations and provide the necessary tools and training, but also enforce accountability.
Example: If a team member repeatedly misses deadlines, discuss the underlying issues and agree on a concrete plan to improve performance.
8/ Flexible Hours: Offering Flexibility Without Compromising Deadlines
→ Offer flexible hours. Flexibility can boost morale and productivity, but ensure it doesn’t compromise key deadlines. Establish clear guidelines for flexibility that align with the team’s objectives.
Example: Allow flexible start times but require all critical tasks to be completed by set deadlines, ensuring that flexibility doesn’t impact overall productivity.
9/ Transparency: Sharing Wisely
→ Be transparent with decisions. Openness builds trust, but oversharing can create confusion or breach confidentiality. Share what’s necessary for the team’s success, keeping sensitive information secure.
Example: When discussing organizational changes, provide enough context for the team to understand the impact, but avoid details that are still under negotiation or confidential.
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10/ Positive Environment: Fostering Positivity While Addressing Challenges
→ Foster a positive environment. Positivity encourages engagement and teamwork, but don’t avoid tough conversations. Address issues head-on to maintain a healthy work culture.
Example: If there’s ongoing conflict within the team, address it directly rather than focusing solely on positive aspects, ensuring it doesn’t fester and disrupt overall harmony.
11/ Mentoring: Guiding Without Dictating
→ Offer mentoring. Share your knowledge and experience, but don’t impose your way as the only way. Encourage your team to find their own solutions, fostering independence and innovation.
Example: When mentoring, present different approaches to a problem and encourage your mentee to choose and justify their preferred method.
12/ Work-Life Balance: Promoting Balance While Maintaining Productivity
→ Promote work-life balance. Balance is key to long-term productivity, but ensure it doesn’t compromise goals. Encourage your team to manage their time effectively, balancing personal and professional responsibilities.
Example: Support your team in managing their workloads to prevent burnout, but ensure they understand the importance of meeting deadlines and maintaining performance standards.
Harnessing Strengths Wisely Your strengths as a leader—whether it’s empathy, approachability, or transparency—are invaluable. But like any tool, they must be used wisely. Awareness and balance are key to leveraging these strengths effectively.
As Lean Manufacturing leaders, it’s our responsibility to create an environment where continuous improvement isn’t just a process—it’s a mindset. By avoiding these common mistakes, we can lead our teams more effectively, driving both personal and organizational success.
Reflect and Act Which of these 12 mistakes resonate most with you? How can you start addressing them today to become an even more effective leader?
Important!!!
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"El Master Chief" told you.
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