Leaders are the people we look up to in our workplace,s but that doesn’t mean they are perfect. In fact, mistakes are a great way to learn and grow. However, there are times when supervisors are simply not cut out for such a very prominent position, or when they need to step down and hand over the baton to a more competent candidate.
Take a look at Adam Neumann — the former WeWork CEO, who was with the company since its inception in 2010. After its failed attempt to make the brand public, people began questioning his leadership skills, which left most wondering what would have happened if he left his post long before the mess erupted.
As a leader, it is hard to vacate your position, but here are red flags that will help you make this important decision:
Being Too Comfortable
Rank-and-file employees who did their best to be where they are now, have all the right to be proud of their accomplishment. However, it shouldn’t be taken as a sign of complacency, which often gets in the way of growth and hard work.
Moreover, you stop exploring new possibilities and ultimately stop learning. Effective leaders would always find ways to grow, which is why they push themselves out of their comfort zones. If you’re too comfortable in your position, then it may be high time to find another path to pursue.
Lack of Empathy
Bosses and supervisors have earned the reputation of being grumpy and unkind toward their constituents. Bob Sutton, Stanford professor, said that as people reach senior roles, they tend to turn insensitive to others.
Research shows that being powerful enables people to put their own needs first and therefore become ignorant of others’ feelings. Empathy is one of the most important values a leader must possess because it fosters a more productive and engaging work environment.
People Abandoning the Ship
It’s only natural for some team members to resign and find greener pastures. However, when it happens too often, it may not be a coincidence at all.
It doesn’t mean that your staff is not loyal, rather there may be something off with how they are managed. The truth is, there’s a reason they are jumping ship, and it may be related to your leadership skills.
You’ve Become Unapproachable
When you notice that people are starting to be aloof toward you so much so that they don’t ask for help anymore, it’s a telling sign of how you have evolved as a leader. As a supervisor, you have to be as accessible as possible to your team.
You are placed in that position to mentor and coach others and to impart words of wisdom. However, if you make yourself too unavailable or if others feel that way toward you, then there’s a problem with what you’re doing.