Who Causes Most of Our Teams’ Problems?

The most underused tool in a leader’s tool box is the mirror.

When the majority of a team does not follow the leader’s guidance, whose fault is it? For many of us, we look outside ourselves for the answer. We become frustrated with everyone else. I have been there and done that! Plus, I have watched good leaders place the blame on their teams. But, who is the common denominator in the equation? The leader.

I learned this firsthand, especially in my worst-to-first journey from my early management days. Back then, I had to ask myself:

- When a sales team implements a good strategy poorly – who is the common denominator?

- When a team fails to speak up when asked for their opinions – who is the common denominator?

- When a department misunderstands the plans for the quarter – who is the common denominator?

Perhaps the most underused tool in a leader’s tool box is the mirror.

I have learned the hard way how I must have the Humility to look at myself first, before looking at others. Many of us have too much belief in our own abilities to communicate clearly and make things happen. So, when something doesn’t go right, we find fault in others. But, if we stopped and looked in the mirror—the real issues probably lie closer to home.