First, thank you for continuing to follow my blog and newsletter! I enjoy the interaction and questions that come up. Please continue to reach out, engage, and ask questions! About a previous newsletter, a reader reached out and asked, “How do I know when I am not leading well?” Great question!
Leading Well, as I define it, is about leading effectively and wholistically. That is, you are effective in reaching your goals, guiding your team, and staying whole in your spirit, soul, and body. Leading well is about making boss moves that do not sacrifice your well-being or that of your team. Leading well is about making sure your role is aligned with your soul.
So, what are the signs that you are out of alignment? The first step to change is awareness, and I’m here to guide you through it. Here are signs that you may not be leading well and how to address them, equipping you with tips to take control of your leadership journey.
You Feel Disconnected from Your Surroundings
Feeling tired, overwhelmed, or out of control is usually an obvious indicator of burnout. But what happens when it’s not so clear? In my book Leading Well, I share the challenges of leading on empty, “shifting our personal needs to autopilot to respond to the demands placed on our leadership, and as a result, get too busy to listen to the inner workings of our soul.”
So what does this mean? You simply zone and go into autopilot, which can last weeks, months, and even years. You find yourself in the humdrum of the day-to-day, checking boxes, simply “getting it done.” This could mean you’re not fully present in meetings, actively listening to your team, or reflecting on your decisions. The thing about leading on empty is that it can often disguise itself as being productive. After all, you are “getting it done,” but at what cost?
If you feel depleted and disconnected from your surroundings, this is an indication that you are not leading well. When you do an honest self-assessment and realize you are simply getting by, you can make a plan to adjust. This is where you learn to start saying “no” and putting yourself first. As women, particularly Black women, we often feel the need to overachieve and overperform to provide ourselves in spaces not designed with us in mind. We jump through hoops at the expectations for us to always be on and even to rescue failing projects or others. Learn to block out the noise and listen to what your soul tells you. Your soul always speaks, even if it is just a whisper. More importantly, this disconnect you feel is usually a sign that God wants you to draw closer.
Observe Your Surroundings
Assess those around you, including your team and your family. Is everything in chaos and disarray? As a leader, your team reflects you. So, if you work long hours and neglect self-care, your team will likely do the same. Is it harder for you to connect as a team and be productive? Are tasks that were once seamless becoming more difficult?
These are all signs that you are not leading well. Once you take a moment to reflect and take proper care of yourself, your team will soon follow. This is also an excellent time for open and honest conversations with your team. However, be prepared to receive feedback and graciously make adjustments where necessary.
Performance Decline
If you feel you are no longer effective as a leader and your performance is declining, it is a sign that you are not leading well. For example, you used to book 80% of your sales calls, but now you are booking 40%. Your team is now missing important deadlines. Your assistant, who rarely misses a beat, calls out sick more often. I understand when these things happen, the immediate reaction can range from anger to self-pity. However, understand that although external factors can drive leadership success, dysfunction often lies within. First, fix yourself, then those around you, and you will see positive results.
Lack of Vision
In my last blog, I discussed the importance of leading with legacy in mind. This means considering the long-term impact of your actions and decisions. As a leader, you must always have an end goal in mind. Every short—and long-term decision defines the legacy of what you are building. When this long-term vision goes away, and you find yourself simply trying to make it through the day, this indicates a lack of vision. And you can only lead well if you align with your vision.
Vision is paramount to effective leadership. So, if you find yourself lacking in it, do a re-evaluation. Your vision may have changed, so you no longer feel connected to it. Your vision was to build a profitable business and sell in less than 5 years. But now that you have children, you may want something you can pass on to the next generation. A vision change requires a change in strategy. Adjust accordingly as needed!
You MIcromanage and Struggle with Delegation
I understand that so many of us can identify with this! In times of stress and feeling overwhelmed, we want to hold on to things tighter than ever. And yes, this can also happen to those who are usually very good at delegating tasks. If you find yourself relying on your assistant less and taking on key tasks from your team, this is another indicator that you are not leading well. A key indicator of effective leadership is trusting your team and being able to delegate effectively. There is no reality where you can do it all on your own. And no part of the “leading well” philosophy indicates that you should.
If you feel this way, friend, I advise you to breathe and let it go, then do a hard mental assessment of all you have taken on. As I said above, you often don’t know that it is happening because we go into “survival mode” when we are mentally depleted. As a leader, know that God does not call you to do it on your own!
In my book, I share an anecdote about discussing with a friend my hyper busyness responding affirmatively to incessant requests. I justified being on the brink of overwhelm by declaring, “Well, I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Their response was an eye-opener for me: “But does Christ want you to do everything?” Yes, you can do all things, but you certainly do not have to do them today, nor do you have to do them alone!
If you recognize these signs in yourself or within your team or organization, it may be time to take a step back and reassess. Remember that recognizing where you are is essential to leading well. There is no shame in being honest about where you are because we have all been there as women leaders. Self-awareness and willingness to adjust are key to getting back on track. Course correction is always okay if you have the tools to do so. You are not alone in this journey.specially designed for early-career women looking to advance into leadership or I am here to support you!
If you are not “leading well,” I invite you to enroll in my Empowered to Lead Well program for women leaders. It is designed for early-career women looking to advance into leadership or those seasoned leaders looking to enhance their current leadership with wellness practices. Though this program is open to all, I have designed it with Black women of faith who lead in the marketplace and beyond in mind.
Click here to learn more about the Empowered To Lead Well programs. Let’s start Leading Well together.
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