3 Strategies For Leaders To Break The Cycle Of Self-Sabotage
- Feb 20, 2024
- 4 min read
Written by: Asha Ghosh, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Despite our best intentions, as humans we all harbour hidden beliefs, actions, and habits that can hinder our progress. The challenge lies in recognising these self-defeating behaviours, understanding their impact, and developing strategies to overcome them for our growth and the success of our teams.
This article shares three proven strategies to unlock your full potential as a leader, based on my experience as a leadership and team coach to leaders and their teams globally for over 7 years.
How do you grow as a leader?
There is an assumption that we must continually add new skills to strengthen our leadership style. However, mitigating behaviours that may unknowingly sabotage our effectiveness is just as important. I share a case study of a leader I worked with recently on how inadvertently the hampered their leadership impact.
How do you know you are sabotaging your success?
Behind the facade of leadership infallibility we struggle with insecurities and fears that can lead to self-sabotaging behaviours. These behaviours not only limit our potential but also reflect in the performance and morale of our teams. Consider the following:
Do you ever question the effectiveness of your decisions and actions? Are you reluctant to ask for help when facing challenges?
Do you have impossibly high standards you and your team cannot reach? Do you engage in damaging self-talk?
Do you rescue your team, try to control challenging situations that occur in your team, or maybe even micromanage them?
If you recognise these behaviours in yourself, it is time to recognise that the harsh truth is you are slowing yourand your team's growth and success down.
How does self-sabotage show up in leadership?
Self-sabotage in leadership can manifest in various forms, some obvious and others more insidious:
Perfectionism in leaders can result in setting unattainable standards for themselves and their teams, leading to burnout, dissatisfaction, and a culture of fear of failure.
Procrastination, a well-known form, is where leaders delay decision-making or actions, waiting for the perfect moment or more information. Less apparent forms can be seen in risk aversion, all of which disguise themselves as admirable traits but can severely impede leadership effectiveness.
Leaders who are people-pleasers may compromise necessary hard decisions to avoid conflict, leading to a lack of direction and respect. Similarly, leaders who are risk-averse due to a fear of failure miss out on opportunities for innovation and growth, creating a stagnant environment that discourages creativity and initiative.
Hidden costs of self-sabotage
The hidden costs of these traits are extensive:
Perfectionism can lead to a reluctance to delegate tasks, underutilisation of team talents, and missed deadlines due to excessive tinkering.
Leaders avoiding risk due to procrastination and fear of failure create teams that are overly cautious, lacking the dynamism needed for growth and adaptability in the face of challenges.
People-pleasing often results in inconsistent policies and expectations, creating confusion and a lack of trust. Check out a recent article I wrote for Brainz, break free from people-pleaser habits Learn to break free from people-pleaser habits with seven transformative steps.
Moreover, the behaviours of leaders serve as a model for their teams:
A leader's fear of failure, underpinned by not wanting to disappoint people or fear of it not being perfect, for instance, is mirrored in the team's reluctance to take calculated risks or propose innovative solutions, stifling growth and creativity.
A culture of perfectionism can lead to a toxic work environment where mistakes are not tolerated, suppressing learning and development.
As leaders, it is essential to model behaviours that promote risk-taking, learning, and resilience, creating a culture of trust and respect that encourages our teams to achieve their full potential, yet our fears don't allow that to occur naturally.
Breaking free from the cycle of self-sabotage
To elevate yourself beyond self-sabotage, here are three simple yet vital tips:
Adopt excellence over perfectionism: Strive for superior performance, persistence, and commitment to doing something exceptionally well. Don't hold yourself to unattainable standards. Instead, set goals that are challenging yet realistic and lie just above what you can currently achieve.
Embrace imperfection: Recognise that perfection is an impossible goal and adopt a growth mindset that sees mistakes as opportunities for learning and growth. Set realistic goals that are challenging but not beyond reach. This fosters a healthier, more productive work environment that encourages growth and development.
Be kind to yourself: Leaders are often their own harshest critics. Practicing self-compassion involves treating yourself with the same kindness, concern, and support you would offer a good friend. Acknowledge your struggles without harsh judgment and face challenges with resilience and a balanced perspective.
What are we learning about self-sabotage and leadership?
Overcoming self-sabotage is crucial to becoming a successful leader. Doing so not only enhances personal leadership qualities but also cultivates a team environment that is resilient, innovative, and primed for success.
Leaders who develop emotional intelligence and self-awareness can recognise when they are self-sabotaging and take corrective action to prevent further damage.
Leadership is a journey of continual learning and growth, and by adopting these tips, leaders can inspire their teams and create a positive impact on the world.
In the spirit of sharing is caring please check out my self-sabotage series, with helpful videos, events and tools, check out Honest Partnership for find out more.
Asha Ghosh, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
My coaching programmes have already enabled senior professional women globally to unlock new levels of potential in themselves and their teams. Resulting in these professionals being able to lead, inspire and make bold decisions that not only support business objectives, but also allow leaders to find satisfaction within their home life, all underpinned by promoting a proactive approach to personal well-being.
