We are constantly putting business leaders on a pedestal, celebrating their stellar successes, but for me, the real lessons lie in understanding their failures.

To be successful, we have to first learn to guard against destructive behaviours — most people will be confronted with them (or even exhibit them) at some point in their careers.

Let me highlight six of the biggest mistakes for anyone in a leadership role.

These characteristics are what make us human, but they are also what separate the true leaders from the wannabes.