Same Problems Same Opprotunities: Why Leadership Still Matters
Leadership is supposed to
drive progress but too often, it becomes the very thing holding companies back.
Many leaders unintentionally create bottlenecks, micromanage, or operate in
constant crisis mode. The result? Teams stuck in the same cycle of problems,
year after year.
The first step to fixing
this is awareness. Once you can recognize unproductive patterns in yourself or
others, you can start to change them.
The Leadership DEFCON
Scale
Think of leadership like
a DEFCON readiness level. Some leaders live at DEFCON 1. Everything is a
crisis, all the time. Others operate at DEFCON 5, too hands-off until it is too
late. The best leaders know when to step in (DEFCON 3) and when to trust their
teams to handle things. Balance is key.
5
Traits That Derail Leaders
Here are five common
patterns that show up across industries and teams:
1. The
Overcomplicator: Adds layers of meetings, steps, and
processes instead of focusing on simple, clear solutions.
2. The
Micromanager: Hovers over every detail, redoing work,
and unintentionally stifling initiative.
3. The
Elusive Manager: Hard to find when it matters most,
avoiding tough conversations and creating a leadership vacuum.
4. The
Firefighter: Thrives in chaos, constantly “saving the
day” but never addressing root causes.
5. The
Ego-Driven Leader: Puts being right above doing what is
right, resisting feedback and silencing new ideas.
Why This Matters
These habits may feel
harmless in the moment, but over time they erode trust, kill morale, and block
real progress.
A Challenge for You
Ask yourself:
- Do you recognize any of these traits
in your own leadership?
- Where do your managers or peers fall
on the scale?
- Most importantly, what one trait can
you start working on over the next 30 days?
The truth is, these five
traits are just symptoms of a deeper leadership problem. Recognizing them is
the first step, but fixing them requires more than awareness. It requires a
framework that brings structure to the way leaders think, act, and build their
teams. That is where the Process-People-Product Model comes in. One of the
pillars of the Paint it Red philosophy.
Over the next few articles in this series, we
will explore how this model gives leaders the clarity to simplify processes,
the tools to develop people, and the discipline to drive consistent results. If
you are ready to move beyond firefighting and frustration, and finally build
systems that last, this is where the journey begins.
Next Article: Oct 5th.
The CEO:
Vision, Culture, and Alignment
Excerpts from Same Problems, Same Opportunities: Why Leadership Still Matters. By Chris
Ortiz. Coming Dec 18th.
Productivity Press/Routledge
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