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Four Wrong Beliefs That Feel Right
Sometimes it’s not the things you don’t believe that can hurt your leadership, but rather the things you do believe that are not true!
As leaders we can be trying to operate with lies we have come to believe are true.
In today’s guest post, Dan RockWell shares four of these “Lies” with us!
Guest Post by Dan Rockwell
Beliefs shape actions. Misguided beliefs overpromise and underdeliver. The worst mistake energizes quick wins and long-term defeat.
#1. “I can change people.”
Trying to change others breeds resistance.
Create environments where people choose to change themselves.
Do this instead:
- Help people clarify their own growth goals.
- Collaborate to identify useful behaviors and design appropriate projects.
#2. “Working harder fixes things.”
Action bias shifts focus to urgency, sidelining what matters. A bias toward action invites leaders to focus on urgent issues. Important issues get pushed back.
Do this instead:
- Encourage people to solve their own pressing issues.
- Don’t do people’s jobs for them.
- Eliminate busy work.
- Ask, “What delivers long-term benefit?”
- Ask people, “What will empower you to address this concern without me?”
#3. “Gratitude is for special occasions.”
Withholding appreciation drains morale. I spoke at a college where the audience leaped up and cheered when I walked on stage. I believe they do this for every speaker. It cost nothing—but made me feel like a million bucks.
Gratitude is free fuel. Spread it generously.
Do this instead:
- Cheer for one person today—publicly or privately.
- Use the word admire. “One thing I admire about you is…”
#4. “It’s not that bad.”
Small recurring issues drain teams. “Bad is five times stronger than good.”
Minimizing problems makes them worse.
Do this instead:
- Name one issue people tiptoe around—and start a healthy conversation.
- Shine light on tough issues with optimism.
Right action is an expression of right believing.
Misguided beliefs make promises they can’t keep.
What belief do you need to adjust today?
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