6 Habits Great Leaders Avoid

Introduction

Leadership is not just about developing the right habits; it is also about eliminating the wrong ones. Your leadership potential is directly tied to your daily habits—healthy ones will push you forward, while unhealthy ones will hold you back. In this article, we discuss the next three bad habits that great leaders actively avoid: micromanaging, hiding, and hesitation.

1. The Habit of Micromanaging

Micromanaging is one of the most detrimental leadership habits, as it limits both individual and organizational growth. It results in three major issues:

• Destroys Trust – Team members feel devalued and demoralized when constantly monitored.
• Limits Leadership Development – Employees become hesitant to take risks or share ideas.
• Increases Turnover – Talented leaders leave if they are not given room to lead.

Micromanagers often overestimate their abilities and importance, believing that no one else can do the job as well as they can. However, this mindset stifles innovation and team growth. The key to overcoming micromanagement is to focus on the ‘what’ instead of the ‘how’.

Solution: Trust Your Team

1. Be Clear on Expectations – Define the desired outcome.
2. Reward Success – Recognize achievements when they happen.
3. Correct When Necessary – Provide constructive feedback without over-controlling.

By trusting your team and giving them ownership of their work, you create an environment of growth, innovation, and leadership development.

2. The Habit of Hiding

Many leaders struggle with the habit of hiding—withdrawing due to fear of judgment, failure, or rejection. This habit leads to three significant problems:

• Loss of Relatability – Leaders who hide their true selves struggle to connect with their team.
• Breaks Trust – Authenticity builds trust, while pretense erodes it.
• Causes Isolation – Avoiding transparency results in emotional and professional isolation.

Leaders sometimes project false confidence instead of admitting insecurities or concerns. However, people prefer to follow a leader who is real rather than one who is always right. Transparency fosters genuine connections and strong team dynamics.

Solution: Embrace Authentic Leadership

1. Be Real – Let your team see both your strengths and your challenges.
2. Encourage Openness – Build trust by fostering honest communication.
3. Create Connection Through Vulnerability – Share your experiences and challenges to strengthen relationships.

Leaders who are open and transparent build stronger, more resilient teams that trust and respect them.

3. The Habit of Hesitation

Indecisiveness is a major obstacle in leadership. The best leaders are decisive, even when they do not have all the information. Hesitation can cause:

• Loss of Momentum – Delayed decisions slow progress and innovation.
• Lowered Morale – Teams feel discouraged when leaders lack confidence.
• Missed Opportunities – Waiting too long can result in lost chances for growth.

Many leaders hesitate due to fear—fear of failure, making the wrong decision, or lacking complete information. However, hesitation often does more damage than making an imperfect decision.

Solution: Overcome Hesitation with Decisive Action

1. Avoid Overthinking – Recognize when analysis becomes procrastination.
2. Take Action Now – “Done now is better than perfect later.”
3. Set Deadlines – Use artificial deadlines to force decision-making and keep projects moving.

Decisiveness fosters confidence in teams and ensures continued progress toward goals.

Final Thoughts: Leadership is a Journey

Leadership growth is a continuous process. The habits you cultivate today will shape the leader you become tomorrow. By eliminating micromanaging, hiding, and hesitation, you set yourself up for success and create a positive impact on your team.

Action Steps:

• Identify which of these habits you struggle with the most.
• Commit to making small, daily improvements.
• Seek Support – Surround yourself with mentors and peers who encourage growth.

Every leader is a work in progress, and everyone wins when a leader gets better. Make a conscious effort today to break these habits and become the best leader you can be!