I’ve been around the corporate block more times than I’d like to admit, and one thing I’ve noticed is that being labeled a “leader” doesn’t always come down to job titles. More often, it’s how you conduct yourself—especially when no one’s watching.
Here at Small Biz Technology, we can’t help but recognize the ways technology and modern work culture intersect to shape our behaviors. But the fundamentals of strong leadership remain the same no matter what industry you’re in.
Today, I want to focus on nine habits that might be dragging you down in the eyes of your boss, your colleagues, or even your direct reports. Ditch them pronto, and you’ll see a change not just in how others perceive you—but in how you perceive yourself.
1) Not taking ownership
Ever caught yourself saying, “It’s not my fault,” the moment something goes wrong?
I used to do it, too. Back in my early corporate days, I was quick to blame circumstances for a missed deadline or subpar results. But finger-pointing is a surefire way to lose the respect of your team.
True leadership starts with taking responsibility. As Warren Buffett once said, “It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.”
Repeatedly shifting blame will tarnish your credibility faster than anything else—people simply won’t trust you to own up to mistakes and fix them.
When you drop the blame game and start saying, “I messed up, and here’s how I’ll make it right,” you create an environment where accountability is the norm. Not only does that speak volumes about your integrity, but it also fosters a culture of honesty and improvement on your team.
2) Complaining without offering solutions
Let’s be honest: we’ve all felt the urge to gripe about work conditions, unrealistic deadlines, or that coworker who doesn’t respond to emails.
The problem isn’t the complaining itself—sometimes it’s good to vent. The bad habit is doing it nonstop without ever following up with a potential fix.
Simon Sinek famously said, “Leadership is not about being in charge. It’s about taking care of those in your charge.” And one way to take care of your team (and your workplace) is by coming to the table with solutions when you spot a problem.
Leaders don’t just moan about what’s broken; they brainstorm ways to fix it. Even if your proposal ends up needing refinement, you’ve already proven yourself proactive and solution-focused.
3) Hoarding knowledge
We all know that one person who withholds information because “it’s my work, and I don’t want anyone stealing my thunder.”
But guess what? That mindset might preserve your ego in the short term, yet it destroys your potential as a leader.
When you withhold information, you limit your team’s capacity to do their best work. You also become a blocker, not an enabler. Real leadership is about empowering others. If someone’s confused about how a piece of software works, share a helpful tutorial or a few tips.
If you have insights on automating a repetitive task, pass them along. The more you share, the more indispensable you become—not because you’re hoarding the keys to the kingdom, but because you’re teaching others how to unlock doors themselves.
A mentor once told me, “Leaders are coaches, not gatekeepers.” That advice stuck with me, and it’s never steered me wrong.
4) Neglecting active listening
Ever been in a meeting where someone checks their phone every time you speak, or their eyes dart across the room as if searching for someone more important? Feels terrible, doesn’t it?
One of the quickest ways to lose respect is by not listening—truly listening—when others talk. According to research from the Harvard Business Review, employees who feel heard are four times more likely to be empowered to perform their best work.
If you’re always half-distracted, people won’t just see you as rude; they’ll see you as someone who isn’t interested in their insights.
If you want to stand out as a leader, turn off notifications, maintain eye contact, and respond with thoughtful questions. You’ll be amazed at how swiftly this builds rapport and earns you a reputation for being someone worth talking to.
It also paves the way for better collaboration and more innovative ideas because people are less guarded when they feel genuinely heard.
5) Micromanaging every little detail
Picture this scenario: You hand off a task to a coworker, only to hover over their shoulder like a hawk, dictating each step.
The result is a stressed-out colleague and a thoroughly inefficient process. After all, why delegate if you’re going to do it yourself?
I’ve mentioned this before but micromanagement doesn’t equate to leadership. It’s an insecurity mask. When leaders micromanage, it typically signals a lack of trust in their team—or a lack of confidence in themselves.
Cal Newport, best known for his work on deep focus and productivity, has argued that giving people the freedom to engage in “deep work” leads to better outcomes than constant, shallow check-ins.
If you want your team to soar, set clear expectations and then take a step back. Trust them. If they need guidance, they’ll ask. And if they mess up, help them learn from it.
That’s how you nurture a strong, self-sufficient workforce. If you cling too tightly to every detail, you’ll smother any potential for growth.
6) Putting your ego first
Let’s be real: the workplace can sometimes feel like a competition.
People want recognition, promotions, and a sense of status. But if you’re constantly making everything about you—your wins, your ideas, your agenda—you’ll come across as self-absorbed and uncooperative.
I once worked under a manager who turned every meeting into a platform to highlight their achievements. Didn’t matter who contributed most, they’d take the lion’s share of credit. Morale plummeted, and turnover skyrocketed. No surprise there.
A leader, on the other hand, knows that a rising tide lifts all boats. Focus on the bigger picture instead of clamoring for the spotlight. Celebrate your team’s achievements publicly. Give credit where it’s due.
That generosity won’t undermine your leadership; it’ll strengthen it. People are drawn to those who genuinely root for others’ success. Ironically, that’s how you end up looking even more like a true leader.
7) Being unwilling to adapt and learn
We live in a rapidly changing world—especially in the realm of business and tech. Holding onto outdated processes or stubbornly insisting, “This is how it’s always been done,” is a shortcut to becoming irrelevant.
As James Clear has famously written, “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” If your systems are old, guess what? Your results will be, too.
Leaders are lifelong learners. They stay curious, ask questions, and even learn from those junior to them. When new software launches that could streamline your team’s workflow, be the first to explore it.
Show enthusiasm for innovation, and your team will follow suit. If you cling to the old ways out of fear or stubbornness, don’t expect anyone to see you as a forward-thinking leader.
8) Avoiding tough conversations
Nobody loves conflict.
But being a leader means tackling issues head-on, whether it’s confronting a toxic coworker, giving tough feedback, or clarifying a misunderstanding. Avoiding these difficult chats usually makes problems fester and grow.
Brené Brown put it best: “Clear is kind. Unclear is unkind.” When you dance around an issue, you’re not sparing someone’s feelings; you’re preventing them from improving or understanding the severity of a situation.
If a teammate consistently shows up late, a proper leader addresses it. If someone’s performance has slipped, you don’t shy away from giving constructive feedback.
The key is empathy. It’s not about being harsh; it’s about being honest, transparent, and helpful. People respect leaders who, despite the discomfort, do what’s necessary for everyone’s benefit.
9) Constantly multitasking instead of being present
Look, we’re all busy.
And in a world where Slack messages pop up every two seconds and emails seem endless, multitasking can feel like a survival skill. But there’s a difference between good time management and being perpetually scatterbrained.
Studies have repeatedly shown that multitasking depletes productivity and increases stress. Leaders who are always juggling ten things at once tend to miss crucial details, fail to follow through on promises, and appear disorganized. This not only undermines their own credibility but also sets a bad example for the team.
If you really want to command respect, prioritize your tasks and be fully engaged in the moment. When you’re dealing with an important email, focus on it instead of half-listening to a colleague. When you’re in a meeting, put your phone away and give your complete attention.
In a culture where distraction is the norm, your focused presence will stand out in a big way.
Final words
That’s it for this one, folks. I hope these nine points have shed some light on the habits that might be dimming your leadership potential.
The good news is that dropping each of these habits isn’t just about looking good at work—it’s about transforming how you operate from the inside out.
Small shifts in your daily approach can pay massive dividends in how people perceive you. Show accountability, listen actively, embrace learning, and don’t let your ego run the show. None of this happens overnight, but consistency truly is everything.
Remember, leadership is as much about who you are as what you do. By letting go of these nine bad habits, you’ll free yourself up to become the kind of person others naturally look to for guidance.
Until next time, keep growing, keep learning, and keep being the best version of yourself at work and beyond.
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