3 Ways Your Actions. Stalling Leadership can come from the smallest actions we take, but often it’s the actions that we take without even realizing it that hinder our leadership progress the most.
it that hinder our leadership progress the most. One of the areas where leaders consistently struggle to align their actions with expectations is when it comes to work-life balance.
Leadership is not just about making decisions, it’s about the consistency of those decisions and how they reflect on our leadership skills. Bonni and I have made a commitment to raise Luke as equal partners, and one of the results of this choice has been that I care for Luke on Wednesdays while Bonni teaches. I have to admit, it can be challenging to stick to our agreements and not get caught up in work, but it’s essential for maintaining work-life balance.
However, what happens when our actions are inconsistent with our expectations? In my case, I’ve found that even with the best intentions, people tend to forget that I’m not available on Wednesdays the moment I make contact with them. I’ve tried to strike a balance between my work and personal responsibilities, but the reality is that people expect me to be available when I’m communicating with them, regardless of what we’ve previously agreed upon.
The issue of inconsistent actions and expectations can have severe consequences for leaders. Firstly, people tend to ignore what we say when our actions don’t align balance. We say one thing, but our actions convey a different message. This happens with organizations that advocate work-life balance, but their leaders work long hours and are available on weekends and holidays. The smart people in the organization recognize this immediately and start to do the same, which undermines our leadership credibility.
The second reason leaders need to align their actions and expectations is that we lose leadership credibility when we are inconsistent. When we say one thing but do another, people become less likely to pay attention the next time we set an expectation. I’ve experienced this firsthand when working with a leader who consistently started meetings late, leaving me with wasted time and frustration. I finally stopped scheduling one-on-one meetings with her unless she asked for them, and it wasn’t worth the hassle.
The third and most critical reason is that we miss out on what we intended to do. When we don’t do what we say we will, we not only let people down but also miss the opportunity to implement our goals and strategies. In my case, when I’m not consistent in keeping my Wednesdays separate from work, I miss out on the benefits of focusing on Luke, which is essential for his development and our family’s well-being.
Aligning our actions with expectations is essential for leaders, and here are some key takeaways:
- We need to be mindful of how our actions reflect on our leadership skills.
- We must communicate our expectations clearly and consistently.
- We need to be willing to adjust our approach when necessary to maintain alignment.
The shift that leaders need to make involves being more mindful of how our actions impact our expectations. By making consistent decisions and being open to adjusting our approach when necessary, leaders can maintain their credibility and ensure that their actions align with their expectations.
Stalling Leadership should be viewed as an opportunity for growth and self-reflection. By recognizing the consequences of inconsistent actions and expectations, leaders can take steps to improve their leadership skills and achieve their goals.
