Leaders often reflect their values in their leadership. This can be positive especially if the values are in agreement with the purpose and goals of the organization. The same cannot be said when leaders let their pet peeves shape the culture.

When left unchecked, leaders' pet peeves can disengage employees and create a play-it-safe culture.

They can also skew how they inspire and assess performance.  Leaders' pet peeves can actually undo the very values and focus that leaders seek.


How does this happen? Pet peeves can masquerade as values giving them hidden power over your leadership style.

As you try to build respect as leaders who engage, serve, and inspire, the employees see through this and view it as self-serving and unfair.
<h2>Common Pet Peeves</h2>
What do you think of these?
<ul>
	<li><strong>An organized desk and workspace is a sign of clear thinking and effectiveness.</strong> Pet peeve - "I can't stand messiness" or value - "Honor the space you work in" ?</li>
	<li><strong>Needing encouragement is a weakness.</strong> Pet peeve - "I don't like babysitting employees" or value - "We hired you, the best people to perform" ?
Encouragement isn't weakness or strength. <a href="http://katenasser.com/leaders-12-worthy-kudos-to-spark-employee-engagement/">Encouragement shows employees how their talents are valuable to the organization.</a></li>
	<li><strong>Don't take me where I don't want to go.</strong> Pet peeve - "I don't like being pushed by my employees" or value - "I set the vision and want engaged employees to create the road map" ?</li>
	<li><strong>Stop whining.</strong> Pet peeve - "I hate to hear complaints" or value - "Negativity can spread like poison" ? The latter is true yet better to <a href="http://katenasser.com/leaders-replace-the-no-whining-sign/">Replace the No Whining Rule</a> with these 3 steps.</li>
	<li><strong>If you can't measure it, it doesn't exist.</strong> Pet peeve - "Intuition feels like voodoo" or value - "Some decisions are so critical, I need data to support it" ? <a href="http://katenasser.com/new-leaders-develop-your-intuition/">Leaders Develop Your Intuition</a> to have both tools ready for the organization's success.</li>
	<li><strong>Taking responsibility and apologizing for mistakes too quickly, shows insincerity.</strong>Pet peeve - "I am slow to trust others after a mistake" or value - "Ponder your mistakes to learn from them" ?True story: A highly responsible, high achieving employee quit after a leader said this very thing to her. She quickly embraced feedback after a big mistake and was working to fix the problem. The leader railed on that her apology was too quick to be sincere and showed no signs of learning. Before quitting, she said "I learn, you want me to squirm. There's a difference."He apologized but ironically, it was too late. She found another position and is valued for her skills, talents, and accountability.</li>
</ul>
Everyone has pet peeves -- it's normal. When their hidden power holds sway over an organization's true values and purpose, they can limit success.
<h2>3 Tips to Put Pet Peeves in Their Place</h2>
To ensure pet peeves don't inhibit your leadership and your teams ...
<ol>
<ol>
	<li><strong>Bring pet peeves out in the open.</strong> A simple pet peeve exercise at an all-hands meeting unearths <em>one</em> pet peeve from each person. It engages everyone to learn more about each other. It's also a fun engaging way to highlight the difference between pet peeves and values.<strong></strong></li>
	<li><strong>When you speak, own your pet peeves.</strong> Many leaders are concerned about using the word "I" too much. Yet admitting your own limitations with the word "I", shows humility that builds respect.</li>
	<li><strong>If you are unaware of your pet peeves, get feedback.</strong> Ask family and friends what your pet peeves are. Sounds silly yet it is extremely revealing. At work, a 360 degree feedback on your leadership style will also limit the destructive power of your pet peeves.</li>
</ol>
</ol>
<strong>Engage employees with your spirit and commitment grounded in a healthy self-awareness.</strong> You will serve as a model for all to own the impact of their pet peeves and attitudes. It opens the door for productive interactions that will serve everyone well especially in times of great change and high stress.

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<strong>Questions:</strong>
- What pet peeves have you witnessed that you would add to the list above?
- How have pet peeves impacted your organization?

Grateful for Image by: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/9885897@N06/">Myk Martinez</a> via a Creative Commons License.