As I work hard to become a better leader to myself, family, and people I work with, I’m reading a lot or articles, books, and blogs on wht others say are teh right way to lead. I came across this list from a post by Jon Ferguson and thought I’d share it with you (parentheses mine).

You know you are not leading when . . .

• You wait for someone to tell you what to do rather than taking the initiative yourself (if it is good/right, just do it)
• You spend too much time talking about how things should be different (solutions need initiative)
• You blame the context, surroundings, or other people for your current situation (leaders have to accept the blame)
• You choose not to speak the truth in love (wisdom and self-control)
• You are more concerned about being cool or accepted than doing the right thing (I know i’m not cool so…)
• You seek consensus, rather than casting vision for a preferable future (always push to make it better)
• You aren’t taking any significant risks (comfort zone is the danger zone)
• You accept status quo as the way it’s always been and always will be (change is good)
• You start protecting your reputation instead of opening yourself up to opposition (integrity is important)
• You sleep a little too sound (no kidding)
• You procrastinate to avoid making a tough call (procrastination alone is a curse)
• You talk to others about the problem rather than taking it to the person responsible (this is fear and fear cripples leaders)
• You don’t feel like your butt is on the line for anything significant (which probably means your not taking risks)
• You think what you say doesn’t matter (it doesn’t if you never say anything)
• You ask for way too many opinions before taking action (go with your gut – evaluate later)

I suffer from some of these often.

What about you?