SELF-CONTROL: PITFALLS OF BUSINESS THAT YOU SHOULD AVOID

HAVING SELF-CONTROL might seem like a no-brainer when it comes to your professional life. Unfortunately, stories of leaders doing just the opposite in one way or another are all too common.

That might be related to temperament— like flying off the handle in a meeting or taking an employee down a peg or two in front of their peers.

Or business decisions—like jumping prematurely into something that was too good to be true. Or cutting corners that shouldn’t be cut in service to the bottom line.

Or work habits—since self-control and self-discipline are close cousins that fuel a leader’s willingness to apply a little elbow grease when needed.

And we can’t talk about self-control in business without mentioning inappropriate relationships. There are all kinds of no-no’s there, and leaders who are best in business know what they are and how to avoid them.

HERE ARE SOME COMMON pitfalls best-in-business leaders steer clear of:

• LETTING GREED TRICKLE IN. Everyone wants to be profitable and do well, but chasing the almighty dollar no matter what never works out in the end.

• RESTING ON THOSE LAURELS. It can be easy to relax when things are going well, but leaders who are the best know the importance of both celebrating success and persistently setting new goals.

• GETTING TOO COZY WITH OTHERS. Although it’s important to build strong relationships with others at work, being best in business means you also know that professional boundaries are a must.

• FORGETTING THE GOLDEN RULE. Busy leaders who are abrupt when dealing with others may forget to consider the impact and if they’d want to be treated the same way.