Success Advice
12 of the Most Common Signs You’re Not Ready to Be a Leader

Over the last 20 years, I have seen leaders do amazing things. A story that sticks out in my mind is a story of a missionary who served in Thailand. He went there believing that he could make a difference, yet there were obstacles that stood in his way, and he was persecuted for his faith. Thankfully, in the last 10 years, he has been able to start a radio station, build a school, write books, and serve the poor. His life has touched tens of thousands of people and he is just getting started.
On the other hand, I have seen leaders do terrible things. Leaders who were entrusted to lead others, but were only out for themselves. Early on, I was leading a start-up organization that was growing rapidly so I brought another leader on to manage the finances. Little did I know that managing the finances was not the best place for this person. I wish I would have devoted more time to discover the story of this leader.
The leader and I had a friendship and it never crossed my mind to ask some hard questions. Sadly, the organization paid a price for it. A few months after bringing him on, we discovered that he was stealing from the organization. He was confronted, paid the money back, and was released from service.
Both stories are not isolated. I can give you dozens of stories of great leaders. However, I can also give you a lot of stories of leaders who have missed the mark and entered into unethical or immoral behavior.
As much as that pains me to say, we have to face the hard truth. A leader who isn’t working on being healthy is a leader who won’t be leading long. As leaders, we all start from a place of immaturity and inexperience while making mistakes along the way. Growth is messy and you cannot grow without making mistakes just like you can’t make an omelet without cracking some eggs. The process is one we must all submit ourselves to if we hope to be a leader worth following.
Moving from immaturity to maturity may be difficult, but it is so worth it. Leading people is a sacred honor and responsibility. Leaders who do not follow the path towards maturity will always have a lid placed on their capacity to lead.
I am passionate about many things and leadership tops the list of those passions. I believe each of us has the capacity to be a good leader, and some people have the capacity to be a great leader. The truth is that all of us have tendencies to be immature from time to time, yet, there is a difference between being immature and having a moment of immaturity.
While moments of immaturity are expected, being immature is not. If the goal is to move from immaturity to maturity then we must first recognize the places we are most immature. I am a firm believer that a person can never change what they cannot see. If you see it you can overcome it even if that requires a lot of help.
“You don’t have to hold a position in order to be a leader.” – Henry Ford
To help you recognize if you are immature, let me share a list of the most common traits of immature leaders. You might be an immature leader if:
You become defensive when people confront you.
You ignore the facts of your situations and convince yourself nothing is wrong.
You avoid conflict at all costs.
You think your ideas are always the best ideas.
You blame others for your mistakes or you allow your team to pass blame.
You refuse to allow others to speak into your life.
You try to do everything by yourself (No Delegation).
You think the organization is dependent on you.
You don’t fully listen to others.
You play a victim every time something doesn’t go your way
You think what you have to get done is more important than the people you’re leading.
You are concerned that the people you are leading want your position.
“Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.” – Michael Jordan
Leading isn’t easy. Leading from a place of immaturity is impossible. The more you see yourself in this list, the more immature you may be. One word of caution, all leaders will see themselves in this list from time to time. That is what it means to have a moment of immaturity. For those whose lives are built off this list, that is what it means to be immature.
The most important thing is what happens next. What will you do with the information you have been given? How will you apply what you have learned? If you find yourself only experiencing moments of immaturity, how will you continue your growth? If you found yourself being immature, who will you hire to help you grow through it?
The most important decision you have to make is what happens next. You’re a leader! Now it is time to grow up and be one! The world needs mature and amazing leaders. If you stay immature in your leadership then your impact will be small. The time is now to grow up! The time is now to grow internally mature! It is time to lead well!
What do you think makes a great leader? Share your thoughts and stories with us below!
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These 11 Habits Will Make You More Productive, Successful, and Confident
Boost your focus, confidence, and results with 11 powerful habits successful people use every day.

Successful people love to help beginners. They have an incredible work ethic and rarely complain. As a result, others naturally look up to them and want to follow in their footsteps.
But here’s the truth: there’s no success without sacrifice. You’ll need to give up comfort, excuses, and sometimes even social approval to accomplish your goals.
Value comes from solving problems, and these 11 powerful tips will help you become more productive, successful, and confident, starting today.
1. Take Short Breaks After Finishing a Task
Psychology shows it’s important to reward positive behaviour.
After completing a big task or finishing a book, take five minutes to walk, stretch, or simply breathe. This quick reset helps your brain recharge and strengthens focus.
Many great writers swear by morning walks, solitude, and reflection can unlock creativity.
But if you refuse to take breaks, don’t be surprised when burnout hits. Your brain needs recovery time just as much as your body does.
2. Schedule Your Most Important Tasks First
Multitasking kills productivity. If you want to get more done, try time blocking, a method where you dedicate set periods for specific tasks.
Productivity expert Caitlin Hughes explains, “Time blocking involves scheduling blocks of time for your tasks throughout the day.”
For example, if you’re a writer:
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Research your topic at night.
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Write your first draft in the morning (don’t worry if it’s rough).
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Edit in the afternoon, great writing comes from rewriting.
You can’t buy more time. Use it intentionally and without regret.
3. Eliminate Distractions from Your Workspace
Focus is the foundation of success.
According to Inc. Magazine, it takes an average of 23 minutes to recover from a distraction. That’s nearly half an hour of lost productivity every time you check your phone.
Put your phone away. Close unnecessary tabs. And yes, limit your Netflix binges.
Meeting deadlines consistently is one of the fastest ways to stand out and earn respect.
4. Take Full Responsibility for Your Life
Entrepreneur Derek Sivers once said, “Everything is my fault.”
This mindset doesn’t mean self-blame; it means self-ownership. Stop pointing fingers, making excuses, or waiting for others to change.
If your habits (like smoking or drinking too much) hold you back, it’s time to make better choices. Your friends can’t live your dreams for you; only you can.
5. Invest an Hour a Day in Learning New Skills
Knowledge compounds over time.
Whether you read books, take online courses, or practise a craft, consistent learning gives you a competitive edge.
I used to struggle with academic writing, but I improved by studying the work of great authors and applying what I learned.
Your past doesn’t define you; your actions do. Every new skill adds another tool to your arsenal and makes you more unstoppable.
6. Develop a Growth Mindset
Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck introduced the concept of fixed vs. growth mindset.
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A fixed mindset believes success is based on natural talent.
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A growth mindset believes success comes from effort and learning.
Choose the growth mindset. Embrace challenges. See failures as feedback. In today’s fast-moving digital world, adaptability is your biggest advantage.
7. Learn Marketing to Reach People Who Need You
I once believed marketing was manipulative, until I realised it’s about helping people solve problems.
If your work provides genuine value, marketing is how you let others know it exists. Even Apple spends billions on it.
Don’t be ashamed to promote your skills or business. Without visibility, your ideas will never reach the people who need them most.
Creative professionals who understand marketing and sales have an unfair advantage.
8. Ask Your Mentor the Right Questions
Good mentors can fast-track your growth.
While mentorship often costs money, it’s one of the best investments you can make. Great mentors don’t care about titles; they care about your progress.
If you don’t have access to a mentor yet, books are your silent mentors. Read the best in your field, take notes, and apply what resonates.
9. Build Confidence Through Action, Not Affirmations
Author Ryan Holiday once said, “I don’t believe in myself. I have evidence.”
Confidence doesn’t come from shouting affirmations into the mirror; it comes from proof. Doing hard things, keeping promises to yourself, and following through.
When you consistently take action, your brain gathers evidence that you can handle whatever comes next. That’s real confidence, grounded, earned, and unshakable.
10. Focus on Your Strengths
Your strengths reveal where your greatest impact lies.
If people compliment you on something often, it’s a clue. Lean into it.
A former professor once told me I was creative, and that simple comment gave me the confidence to go all in. I studied creativity, applied it daily, and turned it into my career advantage.
Double down on your strengths. That’s how you build momentum and mastery.
11. Identify and Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs
Your beliefs shape your reality.
For years, I believed I couldn’t be a great writer because of my chronic tinnitus and astigmatism, sensory challenges that made concentration difficult. But over time, I realised those struggles made me more disciplined, observant, and empathetic.
Your limitations can become your greatest motivators if you let them.
Avoid shortcuts. Growth takes time, but it’s always worth it.
Final Thoughts
Becoming productive, successful, and confident isn’t about working harder than everyone else. It’s about working smarter, consistently, and intentionally.
You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Start small: take a break after your next task, schedule your priorities, or spend one hour learning something new.
Every habit you change compounds into long-term success. Remember, true change comes from practising new behaviours.
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