8 PITFALLS

Replace self-centered focus with gracious leadership. Before highlighting your own achievements or asserting your superiority, ask yourself:

• “How can I spotlight the team’s success—not just my own?”

• “How can I use my platform to elevate others and foster shared wins?”

• “Am I communicating to inspire—or to impress?”

Consciously shift from promoting yourself to empowering others and reinforcing collective success.

As someone with an Enterprising (Progress) Design, you excel at achieving and inspiring through success. But when boasting and arrogance take over, your leadership presence can create distance instead of connection. Gracious leadership allows you to lead with both confidence and humility—building relationships of trust, fostering collaboration, and inspiring others to grow alongside you. This habit strengthens your influence and helps ensure your success is shared and sustainable.

When reflecting on a recent win, instead of positioning it as your solo achievement, you pause and ask:
“Who else contributed to this success—and how can I publicly acknowledge them?”
You choose to share credit generously—practicing gracious leadership instead of falling into boasting or arrogance.

• You frequently talk about your own successes without mentioning others’ contributions.

• You feel the need to remind others of your achievements or superiority.

• You downplay or dismiss feedback that challenges your approach or perspective.

• You assume that your way is the best way—and communicate it as such.

• You feel frustration when others do not immediately adopt or praise your methods.

• You notice that your confidence is beginning to create distance or resentment in others.

Your ability to model success and inspire through achievement is one of your greatest strengths. It reflects your deep commitment to excellence, leadership, and progress. When used wisely, this drive uplifts others, sets high standards, and fuels momentum.

However, this same strength becomes a pitfall when it turns into boasting and arrogance—when your desire to inspire shifts into self-centered communication that erodes trust and collaboration. The goal is not to shrink your success, but to practice gracious leadership: pairing your achievements with humility and generosity so that your leadership fosters belonging and shared growth.

In this section, you have explored what boasting and arrogance can look like in your life and learned practical ways to balance confidence with connection.

Celebrate others first.
Before communicating about success or progress, ask:

• “Whose contributions or growth can I spotlight first?”

• “How can I position this win as a shared accomplishment?”

This habit will help you build a leadership style that honors both achievement and humility—earning deeper trust and engagement from those around you.

Think of a recent moment where you may have drifted toward boasting or arrogance. Journal about it:

• What motivated your need to highlight your own success?

• How did your communication affect those around you?

• What specific mindset or habit can you practice this week to foster gracious leadership in your interactions?

Use this reflection as a step toward building a leadership presence that inspires through both strength and humility.

Replace idealistic discouragement with resilient optimism. When facing unmet expectations or setbacks, ask yourself:

• “What progress has actually been made—even if it’s not perfect?”

• “How can I view this outcome as part of a longer journey—not a final judgment?”

• “What is within my control—and how can I focus on that moving forward?”

Consciously practice gratitude for progress, acceptance of imperfection, and renewed focus on what matters most.

As someone with an Enterprising (Progress) Design, you excel at moving forward and inspiring others with your vision of what is possible. But when disappointment and depression take over, your emotional investment in outcomes can turn against you—draining your energy and limiting your effectiveness. Resilient optimism allows you to honor your drive for progress while cultivating emotional balance—helping you maintain motivation, model healthy leadership, and enjoy the journey as much as the results.

When a project does not achieve the results you envisioned, instead of sinking into self-criticism or discouragement, you pause and ask:
“What did we learn? What value was created? How can I celebrate effort while staying focused on future growth?”
You reframe the situation with gratitude and purpose—practicing resilient optimism instead of dwelling in disappointment.

• You feel emotionally depleted after setbacks or unmet expectations.

• You become overly self-critical—even when circumstances were beyond your control.

• You view outcomes as “all or nothing”—either success or failure.

• You lose motivation after one disappointment instead of recalibrating and moving forward.

• You expect yourself or others to achieve unrealistic levels of progress.

• You struggle to recognize or celebrate incremental progress or effort.

Your belief in progress and achievement is one of your greatest strengths. It reflects your deep commitment to excellence, growth, and contribution. When used wisely, this drive helps you accomplish great things and inspire others to do the same.

However, this same strength becomes a pitfall when it leads to disappointment and depression—when unmet expectations trigger cycles of discouragement that drain your motivation. The goal is not to lower your standards, but to practice resilient optimism: learning to balance your drive for progress with emotional resilience, realistic expectations, and gratitude for every step forward.

In this section, you have explored what disappointment and depression can look like in your life and learned practical ways to stay emotionally healthy while pursuing your highest goals.

Celebrate effort and progress—not just outcomes.
At the end of each week or project cycle, reflect on:

• “What progress did I or my team make—even if outcomes were imperfect?”

• “What strengths and effort do I want to acknowledge and appreciate?”

This habit will help you maintain emotional balance, cultivate resilience, and foster a sustainable drive for success.

Think of a recent goal or project where you experienced disappointment or discouragement. Journal about it:

• What expectations did you hold—and where did reality diverge?

• How did your emotional response affect your thinking or actions?

• What specific mindset or habit can you practice this week to build resilient optimism in your future pursuits?

Use this reflection as a step toward building a leadership style that pursues excellence with both emotional strength and joyful resilience.

Replace excessive pressure with respectful influence. Before offering guidance or encouragement, ask yourself:

• “Have I asked what this person actually wants or needs?”

• “Am I respecting their pace and readiness—or projecting my own urgency onto them?”

• “How can I support them without overstepping or taking control?”

Consciously engage others with curiosity and respect—choosing influence over force.

As someone with an Enterprising (Progress) Design, you excel at seeing potential and driving results. But when pushiness takes over, your influence can cause resistance instead of progress. Respectful influence allows you to pair your motivational strengths with emotional intelligence—helping you inspire action while honoring each person’s autonomy and pace. This habit builds trust, fosters healthy relationships, and ultimately results in more sustainable growth and impact.

When coaching a team member who is hesitant about a new goal, instead of pushing harder, you pause and ask:
“What feels like the right next step for you—and how can I best support that?”
You listen actively and offer guidance that respects their readiness—practicing respectful influence rather than pushiness.

• You Become frustrated when others do not match your urgency or enthusiasm.

• You offer advice or direction without asking if it is wanted.

• You assume that your vision for progress is what others should want too.

• You overlook emotional or personal needs in your drive to push for outcomes.

• You notice resistance, disengagement, or tension from those you are trying to motivate.

• You feel the need to “get them moving” rather than meeting them where they are.

Your ability to inspire and drive progress is one of your greatest strengths. It reflects your deep commitment to growth, achievement, and leadership. When used wisely, this drive helps others stretch, thrive, and accomplish what they may not have pursued alone.

However, this same strength becomes a pitfall when it turns into pushiness—when your desire to help others advance begins to override respect for their timing, readiness, and autonomy. The goal is not to lose your ability to inspire, but to practice respectful influence: pairing your motivational energy with empathy and wisdom so that your leadership fosters trust and sustainable growth.

In this section, you have explored what pushiness can look like in your life and learned practical ways to lead with balanced, respectful influence.

Ask before advising.
Before offering guidance or encouragement, pause to ask:

• “Would you like my perspective or input on this?”

• “What kind of support would be most helpful for you right now?”

This habit will help you engage others as partners in progress—building influence through trust, not pressure.

Think of a recent situation where you may have drifted into pushiness. Journal about it:

• What drove your desire to push harder in that moment?

• How did the other person respond—and how might they have needed something different?

• What specific mindset or habit can you practice this week to foster respectful influence in your leadership?

Use this reflection as a step toward building a leadership style that combines inspiration with emotional intelligence.

Replace complacent confidence with disciplined pursuit. Before celebrating potential or vision alone, ask yourself:

• “What concrete action have I taken this week toward this goal?”

• “What effort and discipline are needed to turn this idea into reality?”

• “Am I relying too much on talent or vision—and not enough on consistent execution?”

Consciously shift from celebrating possibilities to committing to disciplined progress.

As someone with an Enterprising (Progress) Design, you excel at vision-casting and recognizing opportunities. But when pride in potential and settling take over, your drive for progress can stall—leaving great ideas unrealized. Disciplined pursuit allows you to balance your visionary strengths with execution—ensuring that your ambitions lead to real, lasting impact. This habit also helps you build a leadership presence grounded in both inspiration and credibility.

When reflecting on an exciting new idea or opportunity, instead of simply visualizing success, you pause and ask:
“What is the next clear action step I need to take—and when will I do it?”
You take that action—practicing disciplined pursuit instead of resting in potential.

• You frequently talk about what you could do—without taking consistent action.

• You delay execution because you believe success will come naturally “when the time is right.”

• You rely on talent or vision rather than discipline and hard work.

• You celebrate ideas or future plans more than tangible progress.

• You avoid pushing through effort or discomfort required to bring a vision to life.

• You notice a pattern of underachievement relative to your potential.

Your ability to recognize potential, cast vision, and pursue ambitious goals is one of your greatest strengths. It reflects your deep commitment to growth, leadership, and contribution. When used wisely, this drive allows you to create remarkable progress and inspire those around you.

However, this same strength becomes a pitfall when it leads to pride in potential and settling—when your belief in what is possible overshadows the discipline required to achieve it. The goal is not to lose your vision, but to practice disciplined pursuit: pairing your strategic thinking with sustained effort so that your potential becomes meaningful impact.

In this section, you have explored what pride in potential and settling can look like in your life and learned practical ways to turn ambition into disciplined achievement.

Track action, not just ideas.
At the start of each week, ask yourself:

• “What specific actions will I take this week toward my top goals?”

• “What effort or discipline will I commit to—beyond simply thinking about success?”

This habit will help you turn your vision into momentum—ensuring that potential leads to performance.

Think of a recent goal or idea where you may have slipped into pride in potential and settling. Journal about it:

• What vision or talent were you relying on without sufficient action?

• What effort or discipline did you avoid or delay?

• What specific mindset or habit can you practice this week to foster disciplined pursuit in your progress?

Use this reflection as a step toward building a leadership style that turns potential into real-world achievement.

Replace appearance-driven reporting with transparent metrics. Before adjusting or presenting performance data, ask yourself:

• “Am I reporting this data accurately—or trying to manage perceptions?”

• “What would full transparency look like in this situation?”

• “Am I creating a culture where learning and honesty are valued over flawless appearances?”

Consciously choose integrity and transparency—even when results fall short of expectations.

As someone with an Enterprising (Progress) Design, you excel at driving measurable results and achieving ambitious goals. But when manipulating stats takes over, your leadership influence can erode—creating mistrust and poor decision-making. Transparent metrics allows you to pair your drive for progress with integrity—building credibility, fostering trust, and ensuring that your insights and actions are grounded in reality. This habit also models ethical leadership and empowers your team to pursue authentic growth.

When preparing a performance report that includes underwhelming results, instead of glossing over the numbers or spinning the story, you pause and ask:
“How can I present these results transparently—along with actionable insights for improvement?”
You practice transparent metrics—leading with honesty and a focus on learning, not just appearances.

• You feel pressure to show flawless results or continual progress.

• You selectively present only favorable data—omitting less flattering information.

• You rationalize small adjustments or distortions as necessary for “the bigger picture.”

• You feel discomfort or fear about reporting negative outcomes.

• You notice a culture where appearance is prioritized over learning and improvement.

• You catch yourself managing perceptions instead of sharing accurate, transparent information.

Your ability to drive results and measure progress is one of your greatest strengths. It reflects your deep commitment to achievement, accountability, and continuous improvement. When used wisely, this drive helps you create momentum and deliver meaningful outcomes.

However, this same strength becomes a pitfall when it leads to manipulating stats—when the need to appear successful outweighs the value of transparency and learning. The goal is not to lower your standards, but to practice transparent metrics: pairing your pursuit of progress with ethical leadership so that your results are credible, sustainable, and trusted.

In this section, you have explored what manipulating stats can look like in your life and learned practical ways to lead with integrity while driving measurable success.

Lead with transparency first.
Before reporting or presenting performance data, ask:

• “Am I sharing the full, accurate story—even when results aren’t perfect?”

• “How can I model integrity and learning through this report or conversation?”

This habit will help you foster a culture of trust and transparency—strengthening both your leadership influence and long-term results.

Think of a recent situation where you may have slipped into manipulating stats. Journal about it:

• What pressures or fears drove your desire to manage perceptions?

• How might full transparency have created better trust or learning?

• What specific mindset or habit can you practice this week to foster transparent metrics in your leadership?

Use this reflection as a step toward building a leadership style that values both ambitious results and uncompromising integrity.

Replace win-at-all-costs behavior with collaborative excellence. Before pushing yourself or others toward the next achievement, ask yourself:

• “Am I pursuing this goal to create value—or simply to outperform others?”

• “How can I pursue excellence while supporting the success of my team?”

• “What boundaries can I set to maintain balance and well-being as I strive to succeed?”

Consciously align your competitive drive with collaboration, integrity, and personal balance.

As someone with an Enterprising (Progress) Design, you excel at driving performance and raising the bar. But when obsessive competition takes over, you risk isolating yourself and undermining the long-term relationships and resilience that sustain true success. Collaborative excellence allows you to pair your drive with wisdom—leading in a way that fosters trust, inspires others, and creates an environment where all can thrive. This habit strengthens your leadership presence and deepens your positive influence.

When facing a high-profile project where success is on the line, instead of focusing solely on outperforming others, you pause and ask:
“How can I help my team shine—and how can we celebrate collective success?”
You shift from a win-at-all-costs mindset to one of collaborative excellence—balancing your ambition with support and integrity.

• You feel dissatisfied unless you are outperforming others.

• You turn collaborative opportunities into personal contests.

• You overlook ethical considerations in your pursuit of results.

• You push yourself or others beyond healthy limits to “win.”

• You experience stress or burnout tied to your competitive drive.

• You notice increasing tension, rivalry, or disengagement from those around you.

Your ability to drive results and push for excellence is one of your greatest strengths. It reflects your deep commitment to achievement, leadership, and growth. When used wisely, this drive inspires others and helps you lead teams and organizations to new heights.

However, this same strength becomes a pitfall when it turns into obsessive competition—when your pursuit of winning overshadows collaboration, integrity, and personal well-being. The goal is not to lose your edge, but to practice collaborative excellence: pursuing high achievement in a way that builds trust, nurtures relationships, and supports sustainable success.

In this section, you have explored what obsessive competition can look like in your life and learned practical ways to balance your ambition with wisdom and care.

Celebrate shared wins.
Each time you achieve a goal or milestone, pause and ask:

• “Who else contributed to this success—and how can I celebrate them?”

• “How can I model collaborative excellence in the way I share this achievement?”

This habit will help you cultivate a leadership style that inspires both individual excellence and collective success.

Think of a recent situation where you may have slipped into obsessive competition. Journal about it:

• What drove your need to win or outperform?

• How did that mindset affect your relationships and well-being?

• What specific mindset or habit can you practice this week to foster collaborative excellence in your pursuit of success?

Use this reflection as a step toward building a leadership style that pursues bold achievement with integrity, balance, and shared growth.