In my experience across the business world and the church, it seems we are desperate for good leadership, yet excuses for not leading persist in many conversations. As much as we need capable individuals to step up, it appears that whenever I meet a leader struggling in their role, they often resort to justifications rather than admitting their own shortcomings.
It is frequently easier to pass blame than to take ownership of a problem. However, identifying these common leadership pitfalls is the first step toward improvement. When we stop making excuses, we create space for genuine growth and organizational health.
In full disclosure, I have likely been as guilty as anyone at various points in my career. Despite this, recognizing these excuses is essential for anyone looking to lead with integrity and effectiveness.
7 EXCUSES I’VE HEARD—OR USED—FOR NOT LEADING WELL
1. I Don’t Know How.
With each new season in leadership there will be a learning curve. If you’re leading, then your introducing change—you’re taking people somewhere they haven’t been before. This means there will be lots of unknowns in your world for a while. But, don’t use this as an excuse. Learn. Take a course. Get a mentor. Read some books. Ask better questions. Grow as a leader.
2. I Can’t Get People to Follow My Lead.
Well, we may have to check our leadership definition, but don’t give up. If God has called you to this—discover how to motivate people. Most people will follow someone if you’re taking them somewhere they need to go, but aren’t sure how to get there.
Make sure you have a vision worth following, learn to communicate well and do all you can to help people attain it. In terms of communicating well—I often tell pastors—you’re best “sermon” may be the one you give to motivate people towards the change or vision. Early in my leadership career I participated in an organization called Toastmasters to help train as a communicator.
3. I Can’t Keep Up!
This can be a legitimate excuse at times – leadership can be overwhelming with the amount of change in our world, but we shouldn’t let it remain this way. Leaders have to learn to pace themselves. You have to surround yourself with others who can help carry the load. You can’t try to do everything or control every outcome. Learn delegation.
And don’t try to change everything at once. My rule of thumb is to be working on no more than three major changes at a time. This requires patience, because I may see 100 things which need to change. The only thing which works well though when I try to do too much at one time is I get to add to my excuses for not leading well.
4. No One Taught Me How to Lead.
That might be true. I have found many leaders are terrible at reproducing leaders. We don’t apprentice well. So, what are you going to do about it? Leaders find solutions to problems. They don’t let problems become the excuse.
Learn from experience. It’s the best teacher anyway. Learn from trying. Learn from watching others. Just learn. It’s never too late to learn something new.
5. Times Have Changed.
This is true also. Times have changed. Cultures have changed. The workforce has changed. And they will keep changing—fast!
Good leaders adapt accordingly. They discover new approaches. They don’t make excuses.
6. I Don’t Have the Right Team.
Well, instead of using it as an excuse, you have a few options. Give them a better leader—you. Train and empower them. Figure out what’s keeping them from being the “right team”.
Or get a new team.
7. I’m Suffering From Burnout!
This excuse can be real. It happens to all of us at times—especially in a year like this. But don’t settle for this one. Get help. Heal. Rest. Renew. Regroup.
Get healthier so you can lead again. Sometimes stopping for a while is your best answer—even amidst the busiest times.
I’m not trying to be sarcastic, arrogant, or unsympathetic. I realize each of these deserve their own post. I really do believe, however, good leadership is mostly finding a worthy vision, recruiting the right people and discovering ways to help people get there. And we get better the more we practice.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t bring a spiritual aspect into this—I am a pastor. My best leadership book is the Bible. My best leader example is Jesus. And I have learned when I am being obedient to Him I lead better naturally. It doesn’t mean everything falls into place beautifully—it does mean I have all I need to lead—even when everything around me is a mess.
Seriously, look over the list again. Are there any of them that can’t be overcome with a little determination?
Let’s stop the excuses and make better leaders!
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This article originally appeared on RonEdmondson.com and is reposted here by permission.
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