Many in leadership are, by nature, “Type A” personalities. We all know them: passionate, driven, competitive, outgoing, and generally like to be in control. They likely got to where they are because of some of these traits, and their ability to continue to lead has a lot to do with them as well. This personality type is by no means exclusive to leaders, but let’s just say it’s not uncommon.
So what happens when these particular leaders start working with colleagues, stakeholders, or other leaders who share these personality traits? Strong personalities can clash if each one wants to be at the helm. If success is dependent upon successful collaborations, then these leaders will need to go through a major mindset adjustment. Leaders who refuse or resist these mindset adjustments can end up making detrimental decisions that can cost companies a lot of time and money. Gallup Research from 2020 shows that these kinds of unilateral decisions can cost companies up to $1.2 trillion per year due to disengaged employees.
Luckily, a new article from HBR.com has some tips for these folks who are obliged to work with others even if they are not temperamentally inclined to do so. If you consider yourself to be this sort of “Type A” leader, or if you know someone who is, give it a read and see if there are lessons that can be learned. It is imperative that leaders continue to cultivate their decision-making abilities, and there’s no question that stronger collaboration leads to better results for everyone.