Red flags are warning signs. We don’t have a beach here in Tennessee, but I’ve traveled enough to be familiar with the flags used to convey ocean safety: red for high hazards, green for a-okay, purple for jellyfish, and so on. Red flags are warnings. “Proceed at your own risk,” knowing you may be treading into dangerous waters.
But red flags aren’t just for the beach. They might be less obvious, but they’re certainly there – the warning signs that things aren’t all as they should be. Recognizing leadership red flags in yourself and others is not just a skill but a superpower that can help you grow as a leader and build healthier, more effective teams while avoiding serious hazards.
Are You a Walking Leadership Red Flag?
Sign #1 – Poor Communication
🚩Lack of Clarity – If your team often seems confused about goals or expectations, you must address how information is conveyed. You might not be as clear, thorough, or emphatic as you think you are.
🚩Avoiding Difficult Conversations – Consistently sidestepping feedback or conflict can harm trust and growth. Conflict can be both healthy and productive.
Sign #2 – Micromanagement
🚩Over-involvement – Constantly checking every detail or not trusting your team to make decisions can stifle creativity and breed resentment. Yes, check for quality of work and correctness – but at the end!
🚩Fear of Delegation – If you live by “if you want it done right, do it yourself,” it might indicate an underlying issue with trust or confidence in your team. If you do everything, why have a team in the first place?
Sign #3 – Inability to Accept Feedback
🚩Defensiveness – If you react negatively or shut down when receiving constructive criticism, it could prevent you from learning and adapting. Try not to take it personally.
🚩Lack of Self-Reflection – Avoiding self-examination can hinder personal growth and the evolution of your leadership style. It might feel like picking at a scab, but we’ve all got to do it!
Sign #4 – Unclear Vision and Goals
🚩Inconsistency – Frequently shifting priorities without clear reasoning can confuse your team and lead to disengagement. Stick with a unified vision. Your tactics may change, but the ultimate goal should change very infrequently, if at all.
🚩Lack of Strategy – Without a clear plan, you risk being reactive rather than proactive, undermining your leadership impact. A team focused solely on defense may not get pushed back, but they can’t move forward, either.
Sign #5 – Ego and Lack of Empathy
🚩Self-Centered Decisions – If you prioritize your own success over the team’s well-being, you may create an environment where collaboration suffers. Good leaders learn early on that it’s not about you.
🚩Ignoring Team Needs – Failing to see or address personal and professional needs can lead to disengagement and burnout. You’re not their therapist, but you do need to facilitate the most productive, encouraging atmosphere you can.
Sign #6 – Unfair Treatment
🚩Bias or Favoritism – Letting personal relationships unduly influence professional decisions can undermine team trust. Be as objective as possible on both sides of the coin – deciding promotions, raises, and choice projects while also being even-handed with disciplinary action.
Sign #7 – Lack of Accountability
🚩Blame Shifting – Leaders who rarely take responsibility for mistakes and instead blame their team can create a culture of fear and mistrust. Your team shouldn’t feel you’ve put a target on their back.
🚩No Ownership – Watch for individuals who avoid accountability when faced with failure or challenges. (But gladly take credit for success…)
Sign #8 – Unethical Behavior
🚩Unethical Decisions – Leaders who compromise on ethics for short-term gains set a dangerous precedent for the entire team. You set the standard, so keep the bar high!
Sign #9 – Ignoring Personal and Professional Development
🚩Stagnation – A leader who does not invest in their own growth or team can fall behind industry trends and best practices. Be that life-long learner. You won’t regret it.
🚩Resistance to Change – Leaders unwilling to evolve or adapt will inevitably fail. We don’t change for the sake of change but to remain relevant.
Eliminating Your Red Flags
So, if you see any of these signs in yourself…what do you do? Here’s the good news: you’re not stuck with any of these red flags. You have the power to change and grow.
✅Self-Reflection and Feedback – Regularly ask peers and team members for feedback. Take it on the chin. Be honest about your own performance.
✅Continuous Learning – Invest in leadership training and development to improve areas of weakness. Read books. Consider opinions you disagree with. Learn for learning’s sake!
✅Open Dialogue – Encourage a culture where concerns and suggestions can be shared without fear of retribution.
✅Lead by Example – Demonstrate the qualities you value, such as transparency, accountability, empathy, and resilience, to create a positive leadership culture.
By being mindful of these red flags and addressing potential issues early on, you can pave the way for a more successful and fulfilling leadership journey.
What do you do when you notice a red flag in your workplace? Share your thought process in the comments.