7 Leadership wake-up calls that you need to hear

If you are in a position of leadership, you have a responsibility to deliver results.

The buck stops with you.

Personal responsibility and extreme ownership are two things that I 100% believe in and live by.

People are essential to a good business, and I love people, but their bad habits offend me.

In this article, I've listed 7 common wake-up calls needed to level up a leader so that they can get the best from their people.

1. Leading by example is the only way to lead.

I cannot stand a hypocrite leader. The person who is happy to point the finger and tell others what to do, but has never done it themselves or doesn't live by any form of high standard, is a fraud and anyone will see straight through it. (For example the fat personal trainer, or the sales director who doesn't sell anything) You have to be the example and lead from the front.

2. If your team is failing, you are failing.

Results not where you want them to be? Look in the mirror. You are the problem. Not them. You hired them. You trained them. You owe it to them to get the best out of them.

Only when you are firing on all cylinders and not missing, can you point the finger at your team.

3. High accountability starts at the top, not the bottom

If you don't show extreme accountability, you are not credible, and you will not be respected. Your miss or excuse, is their miss or excuse. It filters down and spreads like cancer. You have to own your sh*t, and live by it.

4. Your actions inspire people, not your talk

Theory is great. Meetings are great. But ultimately, people don't listen or do what you say, they do what you do. They follow your style of work, execution and decision-making. Talk is cheap and anyone can do it. Few actually follow through.

5. Your team doesn't work for you

As a leader, you work for your team. You are there to direct, support, coach, mentor and help every single person to operate at their best. Flip the script. You have to show them the vision, the goals and the targets to make that vision happen. They don't naturally see what you see. It is your job to allow them to see.

6. Tell the truth

Every single person wants the truth and doesn't want to be lied to, but the very moment that honesty and constructive criticism is required, most people cave in. They ignore it, brush it under the carpet and don't handle it. Cutting all the bullsh*t and having honest conversations will save you a lot of time and problems.

7. Set the standard

Nothing will build team culture better than winning. High standards and extreme effort are contagious. The energy is different. No one wants to work in a docile and mediocre environment. The environment dictates success.