Ask Fred > Career/Work > Common leadership mistakes
Select a Category:
Dear Fred
What are the most common mistakes made when trying to develop potential and emerging leaders?
Fred's Response
Probably the greatest mistake is trying to clone your own likeness. Potential leaders have their own uniqueness which must be developed. I always looked to see if they were exhibiting leadership on the outside before I considered for leadership roles on the inside. For example, if a foreman was a Sunday school teacher, a scout leader or running a small business on the side. I then felt that he exhibited traits of leadership that we could utilize. One employee became a leader in the union and I recognized this by offering him a promotion into supervision which he took and did well in. One trait you must look for is the willingness to accept responsibility and accountability.
