Preventing Leadership Assumptions From Getting The Better Of You: A Guide

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Anyone in a position of authority, who cares about their position, will want to emanate an aura of competence. They will often be observant, focused, and be able to give an authoritative opinion. They may also be able to venture a vision, even if they’re not 100% sure it will bear fruit. That assumed risk, of course, is actually one of the reasons they can be paid so well.

When running a business, it’s often the case that the need to give authoritative instructions, to be mindful of all departments, and (frankly) to know what you’re talking about can override anything. This way, a well-meaning sense of constantly needing to show your input, even when you’re unsure, can come to mind. A good parallel is that of government ministers, where appointments can be made on a somewhat spurious basis, without the representative in charge having much training in the field.

In these instances, the assumptions you take for granted in your well-meaning desire to fulfill your role can actually lead you down the wrong path. But similarly, you can’t be paralyzed from indecision. So, when the big decisions come up, how can you prevent leadership assumptions from getting the better of you?

In this post, we’ll discuss some vital measures for avoiding that outcome:

Use Legal Advisory When Necessary

Most leaders are not legal experts, but plenty of them get themselves into trouble by assuming they understand a legal situation better than they do. It’s one thing to have a basic understanding of the laws affecting your business, but when contracts, liabilities, or regulations come into play, that is when it pays to check with someone who actually specializes in the field, such as a corporate law attorney that will set you right.

A good legal advisor is not just there to clean up a mess when something goes wrong, but they’re also focused on preventing problems before they happen. If there is ever any doubt about compliance, liability, or major agreements, getting the right advice can save you from a spiraling legal challenge or issue.

Always Use Third-Party, Trusted Bookkeeping

Handling finances properly is one of the biggest responsibilities of running a business, but even if you are great with numbers, relying too much on internal assumptions can lead to a miscalculation or mistake, especially if you’re doing this on top of managing a business and its people. That is why having a third-party bookkeeper or financial consultant is a smart move, because they bring a level of objectivity that is hard to maintain when you are in the thick of things. They can catch errors, help you see where the compliance is off, and make sure everything is in order before a tax season or financial review could catch you out.

Know When to Outsource or Consult

A good leader won’t need to be an expert in everything, but they do need to recognize when it is time to bring in outside help. That could mean outsourcing tasks that are outside your team’s core skills or simply seeking expert advice before making a major move. Consulting professionals in marketing, IT, logistics, or any other area can save you from making decisions based on outdated or incomplete information you simply may not have had time to update yourself on. It also helps avoid the common pitfall of thinking you have to handle everything yourself.

With this advice, you’ll be sure to prevent leadership assumptions getting the better of you, even if your approach is usually focused and attentive.