Leadership Frustrations: Why They Happen and How to Turn Them into Wins for Your Business
- TLTurner Group Marketing
- Nov 5, 2024
- 4 min read
It’s the summer of 1994. A crowd of 60,000 fans buzzes with excitement as the FIFA World Cup opening ceremony kicks off in the U.S. The legendary Diana Ross steps onto the field, microphone in hand, radiating confidence. As part of her performance, she’s meant to take a ceremonial kick—a simple shot at an open goal, right in front of her. The world is watching.
With a dramatic flourish, she runs up, kicks the ball… and completely misses. The ball sails wide, but the goalpost collapses anyway, as if she had scored. The crowd is stunned, then laughter ripples through the stadium. What was supposed to be a triumphant moment quickly turned into an iconic fumble, remembered for its humor and irony.
Now, imagine that moment as a leader—everything is set up for success, but when it’s time to deliver, the result falls short. The goal collapses, but not in the way you planned. In business, these "Diana Ross soccer moments" happen all too often when:
Teams don’t take initiative.
Communication falters.
Teams aren’t fully prepared to execute.
The Big Frustration: Teams Not Taking Initiative
When you think about leadership frustrations, what comes to mind? For many leaders, it’s simple: team members not taking ownership or initiative. You’ve been there, right? You step away for a meeting or a trip, and when you return, things have slipped through the cracks.
It’s frustrating. But here's the thing: the best leaders ask themselves, "How can I help my team do better next time?"
Action Point: Reflect on a recent time when your team didn’t take initiative. What could you have done differently to equip them? Consider making a list of areas where your team might need more support or autonomy.
Communication Breakdown: The Root of Most Leadership Woes
When expectations aren’t clear, even the best teams can miss the mark. Despite having conversations about responsibilities, tasks don’t get done. You might think, "We’ve talked about this a hundred times. Why didn’t they follow through?"
Before getting caught up in frustration, remember: the buck stops with you as the leader. Ask, "How well did I communicate the task? Was I clear enough?"
Sometimes, the issue isn’t incompetence—it’s miscommunication. Venting won’t fix it. Instead, consider separating the person from their performance. They may need clearer expectations, better support, or even a different role.
Action Point: Schedule a time this week to clarify expectations with your team. Be specific about deliverables and deadlines, and encourage feedback to ensure mutual understanding.
Venting Won’t Fix the Problem—But a Healthy Outlet Will
Leadership isn't about being in charge, it's about caring for those in your charge
-Simon Sinek
Part of caring for those in your charge is learning not to vent frustrations to your team.
Bottling up your frustrations isn’t healthy, but venting to your team can erode trust. Instead, consider a mentor, coach, doing some journaling or using any other healthy outlet to process your frustrations constructively.
Action Point: Identify a trusted mentor or coach you can confide in about leadership frustrations. If you don’t have one, consider finding a coach or joining a leadership group for support and feedback.
Remember, having a healthy outlet can make all the difference in your leadership journey. Don’t go it alone—get the support and tools you need to lead with confidence and transform your business.
Prepare Your Team for Success: Practical Steps to Overcome Leadership Frustration
To overcome leadership frustration, try these practical solutions:
Set Clear Expectations: Ambiguity is the enemy. Instead of vague instructions like “Do a good job,” give specific, actionable goals.
Action Point: Start small by setting clear expectations for one task or project. Be specific about what success looks like and the steps needed to get there.
Use the Golden AGE Method: At TLTurner Group, we categorize performance into three tiers:
Average – baseline performance
Good – meeting/exceeding expectations
Excellent – going above and beyond
It’s important to remember that the Golden AGE method is not about labeling people as 'good' or 'bad' employees. It’s about assessing performance objectively, helping team members understand their output without attaching it to their personal identity. This helps create a healthy sense of self that isn't tied to task performance, whether they're excelling or struggling.
Action Point: Introduce the Golden AGE method to your team during your next meeting. Help them understand how this approach helps assess performance and identify areas for improvement objectively.
Empower Your Team: Equip them with tools, training, and the autonomy to make decisions. Accountability begins with trust.
Action Point: Identify one area where you can give your team more autonomy. Trust them to make decisions and step back from micromanaging. Track the results and their sense of ownership.
Hold Honest Conversations: Don’t shy away from difficult conversations when someone misses the mark. Ask, "Why didn’t this get done?" Let the silence sit—it encourages accountability.
Action Point: Next time someone misses a deadline or underperforms, have an open and honest conversation about what went wrong and how they can improve. Focus on solutions, not blame.
Ready to Lead with Confidence?
Leadership frustrations may be inevitable, but they don’t have to hold you back. By implementing these strategies, you can turn every frustration into a win for your business—and we’re here to help you make that transformation.
Schedule a Consultation to learn how we can help turn your leadership frustrations into business wins.
The Golden AGE of Business guides you through a simple 3-step framework to refine your leadership, enhance team alignment, and streamline operational efficiency.
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Contact us for direct support:
Email: contact@tlturnergroup.com
Phone Number: 704-313-5554
Question: What’s one leadership frustration you’ve experienced, and how did you handle it? Share your story in the comments—we’d love to learn from you!
The Golden AGE of Business by TLTurner Group
Guiding you from Average to Good to Excellent
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