Corporate Leadership

With the stature of a leader, few care, understand or have the patience to size-up the real weight of being a leader. Being a leader is a lonely and high-pressure job, but what does it really take to ensure, a leader doesn't fail.

Invulnerability:

Leaders who don't allow for others to see their weaknesses are set to fail. Being human is key to fostering trust and allowing for open relationships to prosper. Allowing others to see who you are only makes them trustworthy. Trust leads to healthy conflicts.

Harmony

Leaders who don't allow constructive conflicts to take place are set to fail. Knowing other people's viewpoints is key in finding solutions and achieving goals. Allowing for difference of opinions leads to productivity, creativity and superior results. Healthy conflicts lead to clarity.

Certainty
Leaders who seek certainty rather than clarity are set to fail. No one knows the future, therefore rather than exhausting efforts in getting assurances; don't be afraid to make incremental decisions with limited information. Clarity leads to accountability.

Popularity
Leaders who want to be liked by everyone, rather than ensuring accountability are set to fail. Leaders who hold people accountable only earn the respect and admiration of others not resentment and poor performance. Accountability leads to results.

Status
Leaders who put their status, position and role above that of results, are set to fail. Results are bullet proof, whether people like you or not. Respect for a strong leader comes from the results he/she delivers not how much he is liked. Putting results before status leads to high-performance leadership.

Leaders who instill trust, foster healthy relationships, are decisive, accountable to others and themselves, and honorable will always win. These five traps should be used as a checklist that leaders keep on their desks, in the boardroom, and at home.