Another  common and costly leader mistake that can result in a loss of credibility and trust...

MISTAKE: Leading by email (or by texting, project management tools, online chat, or other technology) instead of Leading by Example.

A common and costly leader mistake that can result in a loss of credibility and trust...

MISTAKE: Getting caught up in the Popeye Syndrome – “I am what I am.”

The implied message here is: “I am the way I am and if you don’t like it, who cares?”

Leaders often exhibit this behavior when doing things like conducting meetings without involving team members, and when resolving team member issues without asking for input or engaging them in the problem-solving process.

There are two common and costly mistakes leaders make that can result in a loss of credibility and trust.

MISTAKE 1: Getting caught up in the Popeye Syndrome – “I am what I am.”

The implied message here is “I am the way I am and if you don’t like it, who cares?”

Twitter, facebook, instant messaging, webex, email, yada, yada, yada.

What's next?

Who knows?

But really, who cares anyways?

These are all tools (that supposedly help us do more with less). And that's all they are, just tools.They are not a replacement for building a relationship and connecting with people in person.

Professional cycling is a fascinating sport. I really don’t know much about it, but for the past 8 years I have found myself staying up late and getting up way too early to watch the televised stages of the Tour de France.

How many SOPs does your organization have? Do you have SOPs on how to write an SOP?

What core values guide the people in your organization? Are those values real as you hire people, work together, and serve your clients? Or, are they just pretty posters on a boardroom wall?

How do you handle your training? Do you give people a list of the 791 things they can do, a list of the 427 things they can't do, and then have them sign the bottom of the page indicating they understand it all (I've heard it called "check a box training")?

Have you had a chance to read The Leadership Challenge by Kouzes and Posner? It's a bit dry, but provides great stories about leadership and, more importantly, a simple and understandable leadership model. It's a great resource to have around the office.

The first of five Practices of Leadership they talk about in the book is "Model the Way." Here's a short excerpt:

This is the fourth of four posts about the sometimes opposing characteristics that are required of leaders. In Part 1, I talked about the need to balance courage with humility, in Part 2 the need to balance strength with vulnerability, and in Part 3 the need to balance being demanding with empathy.