Could a Strong Work Ethic Hurt your Leadership Style?

What you perceive as a strong work ethic could actually be to your detriment.

During a conversation with a former employee, I casually asked her to describe my leadership style.  She started out by telling me all the things that anyone in my position would want to hear about their leadership style.  However, the words that immediately ensued were clearly not what I was expecting.  She informed me that she always felt uncomfortable when asking to take time off - because I never did.  She went on to add that I gave the impression to her and other members of the team that I was angry at the mere fact that they even asked.  I was mortified!  How could I have given some of my most valued colleagues that perception when they simply wanted to exercise their right to use their vacation benefit? 

Tips on improving your leadership style

The answer is simple:  I was oblivious to the concept of a quality life for myself.  I had a self-imposed belief that I needed to be the first-in and the last-out in order to demonstrate value to my employer.  The solicited comments from my colleague propelled me to evaluate my strong work ethic which subsequently resulted in much-needed changes to my leadership style. 

Here are five simple tips to help ensure that you don’t fall into the same trap that I did and if you have a strong work ethic, how to manage the same or a similar perception:

1. Delegate – by doing so you clearly show others that you trust them.  Additionally, it helps to promote development and empowerment of your staff.
2. Take time away from the workplace – even if it’s a ‘staycation’.
3. Encourage your staff to take quality time for themselves.  It’s amazing to see the difference it makes in their productivity when they return from a break.
4. Say NO to assignments that you neither have the capacity to manage or the interest to complete. 
5. Unplug!  Just because you have a smartphone does not mean you need to use it unwisely by checking and responding to e-mails seven days a week – including vacations.

You don’t have to be like Mikey.  Just because he ate anything doesn’t mean you have to accept everything that others shove in front of you.  Let’s face it, some things are quite distasteful!  Furthermore, the best man or woman doesn’t always win.  It’s the individual with a superb leadership style who knows how to play the game, and play it well.  In the end, the individual with the perceived strong work ethic doesn’t always receive the promotion not because they can’t do the job; instead, they are usually suffering from burnout!

By Jacqueline Brito

Jacqueline Brito, SPHR, is assistant dean at Rollins College Crummer Graduate School of Business where she oversees recruiting, marketing, and admissions for the school’s MBA programs. She brings many years of corporate experience to Rollins, including key roles at the Orlando Sentinel and Orlando International Airport.