🌸 Out with the Old: Leadership Habits to Leave Behind This Spring

Just like your junk drawer or that overstuffed coat closet, your leadership habits might be overdue for a refresh. As your organization grows, so should your leadership style — but too often, outdated habits stick around long after they’ve stopped serving you or your team.

Spring is a natural time to take stock and clean house. Here are five common leadership habits worth tossing out — and what to replace them with for stronger, more human-centered leadership.

1. Running Every Meeting

In the early days, it made sense to lead from the front. But if you’re still the one talking the most in meetings or making every decision, you're limiting your team’s growth.

Swap it with: Shared ownership. Try rotating facilitation, letting team members set agendas, or stepping back entirely. Great leaders create space, not noise.

2. Confusing Busyness with Impact

If your calendar is packed but your team isn’t making real progress, it’s time to reassess. Activity ≠ effectiveness — and your pace sets the tone.

Swap it with: Intentionality. Block thinking time. Define what done looks like. Model prioritization so your team knows it's okay to slow down to speed up.

3. Avoiding the Hard Conversations

It’s tempting to “be nice” and sweep tension under the rug, but unspoken issues fester. High-functioning teams need clear feedback and direct dialogue.

Swap it with: Courageous communication. Practice naming what’s true, early and often. The goal is clarity, not conflict — and people trust leaders who tell the truth.

4. Solving Everyone’s Problems

If your team brings you problems and walks away with answers (but not accountability), you may be unintentionally creating dependency.

Swap it with: Coaching over fixing. Ask questions instead of giving solutions. Support your team’s thinking instead of overriding it.

5. Holding Onto Outdated Expectations

What worked for your team two years ago might not work now. Whether it's rigid hours, old success metrics, or top-down decision-making, clinging to the past can stall future growth.

Swap it with: Evolving norms. Revisit what “great” looks like. Let your expectations grow with your people — not against them.

Ready to Freshen Up?

Leadership isn’t about being perfect — it’s about being aware, adaptive, and open to growth. As you spring clean your leadership approach, start small:

✅ 3 Ways to Refresh Your Leadership This Month:

• Ask your team what’s working — and what’s not.

• Pick one habit to change and stick with it for 30 days.

• Reflect weekly on what leadership version your team needs now — not what worked before.

The best leaders aren’t afraid to evolve. And sometimes, all it takes is a little spring cleaning.