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If you have been a leader in any capacity for more than a day, you know that leadership comes with inherent challenges.

“I don’t like the way you’re doing this (or that).”

“You are not like _____ (your predecessor).”

“I don’t think he (or she) knows what they are doing. They have not been in this position before. I could do a better job myself!”

These leadership challenges often stem from three sources.

1. Unearned Trust
2. Pride or Envy
3. Legitimate Concerns

As a leader, you can best face challenges by dealing with them at the source.

1. Unearned Trust

How do you earn the trust of those who follow you?

First, you must understand that their voiced concerns are often simply a way of saying, “Can we trust you?”

Accept these natural questions for what they are. Let them know you hear them, and that you respect their right to question your actions because you have not yet earned their trust.

Then…EARN IT.

How do you do earn their trust?

~ Stay tuned in to your people.

Listen to their ideas and input. Act on those things that are of benefit to the team and the organization. Listen to their concerns as well. Very often, those closest to the front lines are your best allies in proactive leadership. Talk to everyone you can at all levels. You will learn something from each person.

~ Stay true to principles.

Organizations change. People change. Methodologies change. But core principles are unchangeable. That is how you know they are core principles. Your people may disagree with some of your methodologies, but they will respect you for your principles.

~ Stay focused on vision.

Learn to deflect anything that deters you from the vision. If you are constantly pulled away from the “why” of what you do, you will lose credibility and respect. And you will lose it from the one person to whom it is of most value: yourself.

~ Stay on course with your goals.

Distractions are the hallmark of our modern-day society. One of your main jobs as a leader is to ensure your team (and you) stay focused on the goals. Adjust course as needed to get there, but stay focused on attaining what you set out to do. Accomplishment earns trust.

2. Pride or Envy

Here’s a newsflash: no one person knows everything.

Where challenges arise with leaders is that they often take on a role with the idea that they should know it all. A wise leader will tap into the knowledge and expertise of his or her people, and realistically admit he or she does not know it all.

An employee who remarks that he or she knows more than the leader is likely suffering from Pride’s antithetical partner, Envy.

If you as a leader have someone who is operating from this vantage point, it is in your best interest to talk with them and assure them that they are valued and that as they perform at their best for the team and the company, you will look for opportunities to honor their work.

3. Legitimate Concerns

No one likes criticism. It is destructive.

But constructive feedback is another story.

As a leader, it pays to listen to friend and foe alike for their feedback. If it is legitimate and constructive feedback, take it as a learning opportunity. This will strengthen your leadership.

If it is true criticism – more reflective of your accuser’s mindset than your leadership actions – then quickly deflect it and move on. Stay focused on your people, principles, vision, and goals. These actions will eventually silence the criticism.

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To learn how you can best lead yourself and your team, click here to learn more about the Maxwell Method of Sales LEADERSHIP Impact Report.

As the CEO of Strength Leader Development, Deb Ingino is a highly sought-after international executive mentor, coach, trainer and speaker. Deb is well versed in global business operations and helps business leaders and their teams to discover and leverage their strengths, so they can create highly collaborative teams that deliver great results. With a refreshingly direct style, Deb helps leaders and their teams to deliver profitable results. Connect with Deb to learn more about her mentorship and coaching programs to equip you with advanced strategies to elevate your results.

When you have a strong team that collaborates well,
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