Back in February, Julian M. Allen published a book entitled Operational Leadership Uncensored: Real Talk for Burgeoning Manufacturing Leaders, which is geared to young business leaders who are seeking to accomplish real results, greater responsibilities, and career advancement. This book presents both fundamental and sophisticated leadership approaches, including occasional moments of levity, to advance career management and interpersonal competencies for emerging leaders. These principles transcend generational boundaries and maintain their relevance throughout the evolution of organizational leadership.
When I spoke with Julian this month and told him I'd like to include his thoughts in a blog post, I asked him, "What are the most common mistakes new business leaders make?" Here is his complete response:
Hey there, current and future leaders, especially those stepping into manufacturing or operations roles. I’ve led through four facility startups, multiple expansions, and high-stakes turnarounds across 17 sites. Trust me, I’ve watched plenty of talented new bosses flame out fast. The crazy part? Most of their mistakes are 100% avoidable if you catch them early.
Here are the three that show up most often (and that I tackle head-on in Operational Leadership Uncensored):
1. Chasing personal glory instead of team wins. New leaders often obsess over the title, their power, or the biggest paycheck. They become “chaos creators”-- the ones who care more about their own trophy case than lifting their crew.
2. Falling into the classic “three-year shuffle." Year one: lots of big talk, zero results. Year two: blame everyone else. Year three: grab credit for the smallest win and jump ship before the wheels fall off. It’s predictable… and preventable.
3. Tanking credibility through poor communication or “spinning.” Bad breath, jargon-heavy emails, or stretching the truth to look good -- any of these kills trust instantly. Once your team starts fact-checking everything you say, you’re done.
Here’s the straight truth I share in the book:
“Here’s the secret sauce of leadership: it’s not about you. Seriously. If you’re more worried about your own trophy case than your crew’s wins, you’re toast.”
Leadership isn’t about being the smartest person in the room; it’s about being a decent human with real empathy, clear communication, and the humility to put your people first. My book gives you the uncensored playbook: real stories from the floor, simple tools, and reflection exercises so you can skip the rookie mistakes and start winning from day one.
Ready to lead like the boss your team actually deserves? Grab Operational Leadership Uncensored and turn those hard lessons into your unfair advantage.
What’s one mistake you’ve seen (or made) that still makes you cringe? Drop it in the comments -- I'll read every one. Let’s learn together.
What do you think of Julian's perspective? Do you agree with his assessment of common mistakes? Did you make any of these early in your career?
