RESISTANCE TO CHANGE
Complacent leaders are hesitant to embrace change, as they perceive it to be disruption of their established routines. Two ways to overcome this pitfall are to encourage innovation and foster an environment where employees feel empowered to share their ideas, experiment with new approaches, and take calculated risks. Embracing change can be viewed as an opportunity rather than a disruption.
LACK OF VISION
Complacent leaders may neglect their own professional development and that of their team members, leading to skill gaps, limited growth opportunities, and a lack of vision. One way to overcome this pitfall is to promote continuous learning for you and your team. Professional development can open your eyes to new technologies, industry trends, and innovative leadership strategies. Another idea is to start setting ambitious goals for your team and the organization. Visionary leaders are forward thinkers who do not settle for mediocrity. Maintain a clear and compelling vision for the organization’s future and challenge the status quo.
RISK AVERSION
Complacent leadership can have far-reaching consequences for organizations; one common pitfall is avoiding risk. Fearing potential failure is natural, but innovation and progress require a certain level of risk-taking. Complacency can also blind leaders to potential opportunities for growth and improvement. As the business landscape evolves, failing to seize these opportunities can leave an organization behind its competitors. One way to overcome risk is to seek the advice of others. Do not make decisions on an island. Inviting input by employees and peers can help you see issues from different angles, anticipate hazards, and develop ways to avoid problems.
Remember that leadership is a journey, not a destination. Stay humble and open to learning from others, regardless of your position. Lead by example and demonstrate your commitment to growth and improvement through your own actions. Model the behavior you want to see in your team.
Note: These lists are not intended to be all-inclusive.
CALL TO ACTION
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Practice seeking input from others before making critical decisions.
- Sign up for a professional development course, such as servant leadership.
- Encourage new ideas by implementing a suggestion box or similar method to gather employee input.
- Practice active listening to foster innovation and change.
The information in this article is provided as a courtesy of Great West Casualty Company and is part of the Value-Driven® Company program. Value-Driven Company was created to help educate and inform insureds so they can make better decisions, build a culture that values safety, and manage risk more effectively. To see what additional resources Great West Casualty Company can provide for its insureds, please contact your safety representative, or click below to find an agent.
© Great West Casualty Company 2023. The material in this publication is the property of Great West Casualty Company unless otherwise noted and may not be reproduced without its written consent by any person other than a current insured of Great West Casualty Company for business purposes. Insured should attribute use as follows: “© Great West Casualty Company 2018. Used with permission by Great West Casualty Company.”
This material is intended to be a broad overview of the subject matter and is provided for informational purposes only. Great West Casualty Company does not provide legal advice to its insureds, nor does it advise insureds on employment-related issues. Therefore, the subject matter is not intended to serve as legal or employment advice for any issue(s) that may arise in the operations of its insureds. Legal advice should always be sought from the insured’s legal counsel. Great West Casualty Company shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss, action, or inaction alleged to be caused directly or indirectly as a result of the information contained herein.
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