Last week, I had the opportunity to sit down with Andrew (Drew) Rand PhD., Senior Consultant at Management Research Group, for an insightful session on Four Leadership Styles That May Derail Your Career: Are You at Risk?.
Understanding how your behaviours affect others and recognizing the patterns that might be limiting your career growth is a critical insight that all leaders should develop. From inflexibility to excessive agreeableness, the behaviors we exhibit can either propel us forward or stall our progress. Here’s a recap of the four derailing styles:
- My Way or the Highway: Leaders who control decisions, rarely allowing others to contribute, often suppress innovation and create dependency.
- Happy Follower: Leaders who avoid conflict and fail to assert their opinions, limit the team’s progress and fail to gain momentum.
- Stick to the Rules: This rigid leadership style follows policies to the letter, even when adaptability is needed.
- Engaging Lightweight: Charismatic but lacking in follow-through, these leaders may charm the room but rarely deliver tangible results.
To help you navigate these challenges and strengthen your leadership approach, here are three key takeaways from the session:
- Initiative is a career booster.
Leaders who can anticipate what’s needed and take action without waiting for direct instructions are highly valued in any organization. This behavior not only accelerates progress but also showcases your leadership potential. Taking the extra step, even in the absence of explicit guidance, builds trust with senior leaders and positions you as a proactive problem-solver.
- Broaden your view.
As your career progresses, so does the impact of your decisions. Leaders need to understand the ripple effects of their actions across the organization and consider how their decisions affect other departments and teams. Fostering cross-functional collaboration and thinking more strategically about the wider business environment are critical skills that will set you apart as you climb the leadership ladder.
- Adaptability is a non-negotiable
Inevitably, you’ll encounter shifts in leadership or organizational structure. Whether it’s a new boss or a change in the company culture, adaptability is a must. Drew discussed the importance of viewing these changes as opportunities to learn and grow. Instead of resisting new leadership styles, embrace them by aligning yourself with the new expectations. Adaptability and openness will not only help you maintain momentum in your career but also ensure that you remain a valuable and flexible team player.
This was an incredibly rich session packed with actionable insights. You can watch the full replay here. Drew emphasized that leadership behaviours, while difficult to identify in ourselves, can be transformed through small, intentional changes. He reminded us that even slight adjustments in how we lead can have a significant impact on our teams and career trajectory. By focusing on these subtle shifts, we can navigate potential pitfalls and continue growing as leaders.
Looking to elevate your leadership skills? Our coaches specialize in helping leaders navigate challenges like these. Reach out to us to learn how we can support you in your leadership journey.
And don’t miss our next webinar: View from the C-suite with Peter Aceto that will take place on November 20th where Glain and Peter will be talking about bold moves, big surprises and how to bounce back from career disappointment.
