Toyin Sadiq, a Senior Consultant for Operations and Projects at Cranfield Talent Consultants Nig Ltd, is no stranger to the complexities of leadership. Her recent LinkedIn post about learning from the mistakes of others offers valuable insights that can help professionals navigate their careers with greater ease and wisdom. The story she shares about Jane’s journey resonates deeply with anyone who has encountered challenges in their professional life. Through her reflections, Toyin Sadiq provides lessons that can guide us toward a more balanced, informed, and respectful approach to leadership and decision-making.
Toyin Sadiq begins her post with an example of a young professional, Jane, who, like many others, entered her career full of enthusiasm, eager to make an impact. However, as she navigated the professional world, Jane encountered several pitfalls that many of us have likely faced. These mistakes are not just the typical blunders; they reflect common behaviors that can hinder progress in leadership and professional growth. Through Toyin Sadiq’s thoughtful commentary, we gain an understanding of how to avoid these mistakes and, perhaps more importantly, how to recover from them if they occur.
Toyin Sadiq explains that one of Jane’s first mistakes was trying to be everyone’s friend. This is something that many professionals, especially early in their careers, often do in an attempt to gain acceptance and build rapport. Jane mistakenly believed that likability equated to success. She gave off-the-record advice, overlooked policy violations, and tried to please everyone around her. But, as Toyin Sadiq points out, this approach backfired. In the end, Jane found herself neither respected nor trusted. The lesson here is clear: respect is more valuable than likability. As Toyin Sadiq wisely notes, you cannot make everyone happy, but you can ensure that everyone feels heard and treated fairly.
Another important lesson Toyin Sadiq highlights is the danger of ignoring data. Jane, in her early leadership role, relied on her gut feelings to make decisions. She neglected to analyze important data like employee engagement reports and turnover trends, which are crucial for making informed decisions. When Jane was asked why so many people were leaving the sales team, she had no data-driven answer. This failure almost cost her a promotion. Through this experience, Toyin Sadiq teaches us that data should never be ignored. It provides the facts that empower us to make sharp, informed decisions that can drive success in any organization.
Toyin Sadiq also reflects on Jane’s reluctance to have difficult conversations. When Jane first had to put an employee on a performance plan, she sugarcoated everything in an effort not to hurt feelings. However, this approach led to the employee being blindsided and angry when termination day came. The lesson, as Toyin Sadiq emphasizes, is that clarity is kindness. Having tough conversations is essential for growth, both for the individual receiving feedback and for the leader delivering it. Constructive feedback is a roadmap to success, and avoiding these tough talks does more harm than good.
The fourth mistake that Jane made, which Toyin Sadiq addresses, was forgetting to set boundaries. Jane went above and beyond to help everyone, always saying yes, always available, and often acting as the office therapist. While this may seem noble at first, it eventually led to burnout. Toyin Sadiq reminds us that it’s important to set boundaries in order to protect our energy and well-being. Helping others is important, but not at the expense of your own health or sanity. Setting boundaries allows us to be more effective and sustainable in the long run.
Through these lessons, Toyin Sadiq encourages us to embrace balance. Jane’s journey illustrates the importance of finding the right balance between being firm and approachable, informed and human, and knowing when to step up and when to step back. It’s not about trying to please everyone or constantly being available; it’s about knowing what truly matters and focusing on those priorities.
Toyin Sadiq’s post resonates because it speaks to the universal experiences of learning from mistakes and the importance of growth. In a world where perfection is often expected, it’s crucial to remember that mistakes are part of the process. We should view them not as failures, but as stepping stones that lead us toward becoming better professionals and better leaders. The real takeaway from Toyin Sadiq’s post is the importance of self-awareness and humility in leadership. Acknowledging our mistakes, learning from them, and adapting accordingly are the keys to sustained success.
As Toyin Sadiq rightly concludes, the most valuable lesson is understanding that respect matters more than being liked. When you focus on earning respect through your actions, decisions, and leadership style, you create a lasting impact that goes beyond surface-level approval. It’s a lesson that every professional should carry with them throughout their career.
In the end, Toyin Sadiq’s post serves as a powerful reminder that leadership isn’t about avoiding mistakes; it’s about learning from them and using those lessons to build a stronger, more effective career. Her thoughtful reflections offer valuable guidance for anyone looking to make a meaningful impact in their field. By focusing on respect, data-driven decisions, clarity in communication, and setting boundaries, professionals can avoid the missteps that often derail success and, instead, cultivate a path to growth and fulfillment.
