Who would’ve thought I’d join a book club and start writing book reviews? But when the book is Do Nothing! by J. Keith Murnighan—a professor I had the privilege of learning from at Kellogg—it feels less like a review and more like revisiting a masterclass. Although he passed in 2016, Murnighan’s wisdom on leadership lives on, challenging us to rethink how we lead.
As we head into 2025, it’s the perfect time to reflect on your leadership habits. What if the secret to being a better leader wasn’t about doing more, but doing less? Inspired by Do Nothing!, this article explores how letting go of unproductive habits and embracing empowering strategies can help you lead like a champion in 2025.
Habits to Leave Behind
Micromanaging
First on the list of habits to ditch: Micromanagement.It might feel like control, but it’s actually holding you—and your team—back. As Murnighan explains:
“When you micromanage, you’re teaching your team to be dependent on you, not to be effective without you.”
- Resolution: Trust your team’s skills and step back from the small details.
- Ken’s Take: If you go on holiday and you don’t get calls or texts from your team, you know you’re doing this right!
Perfectionism
Next up: Perfectionism.Striving for perfection often leads to stagnation. Murnighan warns:
“Perfection is often the enemy of progress. It’s better to move forward and learn than to stall trying to get everything exactly right.”
- Resolution: Focus on progress and learning over perfection.
- Ken’s Take: If your team feels safe to try, fail, and learn from their mistakes, you’re fostering a culture of growth and innovation. Reward the effort, not just the outcome!
Rigid Thinking
Clinging to the past can keep you from moving forward. Rigid Thinkingis a habit that needs to go. Murnighan emphasizes:
“Adaptability is key. Sticking rigidly to old ways can make you obsolete faster than you realize.”
- Resolution: Embrace new ideas and approaches with an open mind.
- Ken’s Take: If your team brings new ideas to the table without hesitation and you avoid saying, “That’s how we’ve always done things,” you’re fostering an adaptable culture!
Overworking Yourself
Finally, let go of Overworking Yourself.Doing it all doesn’t make you a hero—it robs your team of opportunities to grow.
“When you do everything, you’re robbing your team of the chance to learn and grow,” Murnighan reminds us.
- Resolution: Delegate more and give yourself time to recharge.
- Ken’s Take: If you find yourself saying “we” more than “I” when presenting to your leadership team, you’re putting your team’s success above your own—and that’s true leadership!
Habits to Double Down On
Empowering Your Team
The best leaders create environments where their teams can thrive. As Murnighan explains:
“The best leaders are those who help their teams do their best work, not those who do the work themselves.”
- Resolution: Invest in your team’s growth, autonomy, and confidence.
- Ken’s Take: Not everyone on the team is an All-Star—let’s face it—but everyone has a role to play. Find their strengths, and you’ll have a high-performing team!
Purpose, Autonomy, Mastery
Motivation and performance are fueled by Purpose, Autonomy, and Mastery, as highlighted in Drive by Daniel Pink.
- Purpose: Help your team connect their work to a meaningful mission.
- Autonomy: Give them the freedom to decide how they’ll achieve goals.
- Mastery: Create opportunities for skill-building and growth.
- Resolution: Integrate these principles into your leadership style.
- Ken’s Take: I know this is an old MBA framework, but embrace it, and test it with engagement surveys. Does your team truly feel empowered? Don’t be afraid, lean into the feeling and become a better leader!
Transparent Communication
Open, honest dialogue is a game-changer. Transparent Communication builds trust and ensures alignment.
- Resolution: Commit to clarity and consistency in your communication.
- Ken’s Take: If your team can properly communicate your vision and strategy, and understand the challenges ahead, then right on!
Strategic Focus
Leaders should focus on the big picture, not get bogged down in day-to-day tasks. As Murnighan advises:
“Leaders need to think big. When you’re too busy with small tasks, you’re missing the bigger picture.”
- Resolution: Prioritize strategic initiatives that drive growth.
- Ken’s Take: I AM BIG ON THIS—do you have spare time in your schedule? Quick sidebar: I was trying to schedule time with the CEO of a company, and he didn’t have 30 minutes available within the next three weeks. Wow! Do you have time to think and take ad-hoc meetings? If you do, you’re strategically focused!
Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
Empathy and composure are key traits of a great leader. Strengthening your Emotional Intelligence helps you connect with your team and navigate challenges effectively.
- Resolution: Model emotional intelligence to inspire and guide your team.
- Ken’s Take: Like a horse, you need to stay calm and composed under pressure. I can’t stand it when leaders say, “I may not have a job” or “I might not be there.” Your team needs your presence and steadiness, no matter what challenges arise.
Trust-Based Leadership
Finally, lean into Trust-Based Leadership.As Murnighan puts it:
“Trust isn’t given blindly; it’s earned and cultivated. But once established, it becomes the foundation of high performance.”
- Resolution: Build trust by leading with integrity and openness.
- Ken’s Take:
“Trust is a two-way street, but always pave your road first and let your team follow.” Ken Stasiak
- When you do, they’ll have a clear and unobstructed view of where to go—and that’s when trust truly thrives!
Final Thoughts
Maybe your New Year’s resolution should be to do nothing?
Great leadership isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing less, with intention. By shedding counterproductive habits and doubling down on empowering strategies, you’ll create space for personal growth, a thriving team, and an impactful year ahead.
What will you give up—or embrace—in 2025?
Inspired by insights from Do Nothing! by J. Keith Murnighan.
