Lazy Leaders come in all shapes and sizes. They are typically more on the conflict avoidance side and prefer uncomplicated, simple solutions. Rather than digging into a problem or addressing an issue, they want to get through it as quickly as possible. They do not often build relationships with their staff and do not see the value in anything that takes time.

So why is this harmful? They make rash decisions lazy leaders do not like taking time to think things through. They want a solution now so they can move on to the next thing. Rather than look at all the facts they may chose the path that seems to resolve the problem the quickest even if that solution is not the best in long run.

They are good at delegating. Wait, delegating is a good thing right? Sure, when the person the task is being delegated too has good direction and a leader helping them make good decisions. The lazy leader is likely to delegate just to get it off his/her plate and not have to think about it again.

I have found myself doing some internal reflection lately. I have figured out, that for me to be effective as a leader, I need to be able to lead myself. And, no I don’t mean this as another do as I do kind of article.

The truth is I have always wanted to help others, but I haven’t always made them a priority. I have always wanted to be a hard conscientious worker, but sometimes I let the wrong things take up the majority of my time. I have spent the last few weeks reflecting on some observations. I have done some research and I want to share some of my findings.

What I’ve learned is, that unless you’re able to lead yourself, you won’t be effective in leading others. You can certainly inspire them or you can entertain them, but to take them places they can’t go by themselves, they have to want to follow you. And like it or not, your example speaks louder than your words. Your example impacts your followers desire to follow you and it impacts the model of work that they adopt. My hard work begets hard work in those following me.

I like to compare leading yourself to riding a bicycle. To go anywhere, you have to remember four principles:

Kickstand principle:  You don’t go anywhere on a bicycle with your kickstand down. You have to kick it up and get on the bike. This is the only way to defeat the law of inertia. Leaders have to have purpose to get going. The have to put themselves in motion.  So many people are waiting for God to tell them what to do. God is usually waiting for us to look at what he already told us to do and start doing something, anything.