Bad bosses come in all shapes, sizes, and flavors.  Some leaders are just ineffective and inconsequential. Others don't seem to know how to communicate. And numerous managers in organizations just aren’t cut out for leadership. But the worst type of bad boss is the one who acts like a jerk and gets away with it. I’m sure you know the kind of person I'm referring to: they aren't just bad at communication—they seem to take every opportunity to belittle their people and act most inappropriately. What's more, they have a way of taking all the credit when things go right, while managing to slip out of any blame or responsibility when things go wrong.

This type of conduct is maddening and unacceptable, especially when bad bosses continue to use a healthy bottom line to justify their existence. The truth is that inappropriate behavior never achieves a healthy bottom line; it's accomplished despite it. I believe that this lack of leadership represents a vestige of old-school values, dated and distorted perspectives that were not acceptable back in the day, and are unquestionably not relevant in today’s corporate landscape.

Today’s leaders need to be compassionate, open, communicative, self-aware and emotionally intelligent. They need to be able to inspire people positively to lead their organizations into a healthy and productive future. And they must be aware that the workplace is transforming at an incredibly rapid pace thanks to the influx of Millennials and members of "Generation Z," who will not tolerate this type of behavior from their leaders.

So, what can you do if you think you might be exuding the wrong type of behavior that I am referencing on the job?

Seven Unproductive & Unacceptable Traits of a Bad Leader

Your employees can tell when they are being led by a bad leader, so if you want to avoid being the boss they despise, it's essential for you to be able to recognize the significant traits yourself.

• Birds of a Feather — Negative attracts negative, and they flock together and tend to be able to find each other within organizations, strengthening their hold and supporting each other. Their behaviors become ingrained within the organizational culture, so leaders who rise through the ranks learn to behave this way and the cycle is most likely to continue.
• A Rapid Rise to Power — Bad bosses tend to be those who achieved power and prominence quickly. They sometimes lack perspective and feel they must punish others for the fact that they never had to take orders from anyone else.
• Suffering, Sacrifice, and Drama — Have you ever met or worked for someone who creates narratives around themselves in which they are invariably sacrificing and suffering more than anyone else. They take every opportunity to create drama, and they are always the star performer in the tragedy that takes place only in their minds. And they never hesitate to tell their pathetic tales of false martyrdom to anyone who will listen.
• Work, Work, Work — That’s all they do and never seem to have any fun or engage in any meaningful experiences outside of the office. They are defined by their work, and they are often resentful of that fact. Additionally, they can seem drained, display evidence of a lack of sleep and will go on and on about how overworked and exhausted they are.
• Always in a Hurry — I trust you have seen this before, they never have time for anyone and are constantly running behind, which turns interactions with employees and others into additional obstacles. They have short fuses and are quick to interrupt because they believe their time is more precious and valuable than anyone else’s.
• Attention Is Elsewhere — The unproductive behavior of dividing their attention inefficiently and engaging in unproductive multitasking. They will nod their heads and act as if they are listening when someone voices a concern, but they are more focused on their phone or some other distraction than the issue at hand (and the human being in front of them).
• Everyone Is a Threat — Constantly defending their thoughts and behaviors as they see themselves as champions in a game of corporate “King of the Hill.” That means they are always looking out for threats from others who have plans to unseat them and relieve them of their supposed powers. This creates a situation in which they see their employees and colleagues not as team members but as competitors.

How to Be a Kind, Compassionate and Effective Leader

Being a bad boss is a sure way to kill your career. The conditions that create poor leadership still exist within many organizational cultures, so it’s up to you to change the way leadership is approached within yours if you want to stay relevant and thrive in the modern business world. It does, however, require self-awareness, mindfulness, and effort.

Here’s what you can do:

#1 — Pay Attention to the People Surrounding You
As I said earlier, negative tends to attract negative just like positive tends to attract positive.  If you want to avoid becoming a bad leader, it’s critical that you surround yourself with the types of people who exemplify the positive traits you want to instill within your style.

#2 — Practice Gratitude
Achieving a position of leadership is something to be incredibly grateful for. Instead of wielding your power like a tyrant with scores to settle, be thankful for your ability to influence people from your position. Show your people that you don't take your role for granted, and they will show up for you.

#3 — Cut the Drama
No one is inspired by a boss who complains constantly or is always creating drama. If you’re a leader, working hard is just part of the job description. Set an example by doing what needs to be done, delegating effectivelyand trading in your complaining for coaching.

#4 — Seek Balance
Don’t be the weird boss who doesn’t seem to have a life outside the office. Your ability to lead effectively is enhanced when you have a rich, full life away from work. Are you spending enough quality time with family and friends? Are you cultivating interests outside of your professional life? Avoiding balance can lead to exhaustion, underperformance and negative behaviors.

#5 — Slow Down
If you're always in a hurry, you probably aren't devoting the appropriate time to your people and the concerns that matter within your organization. If you are always late and always running behind, you're not at your best. Delegation is critical, as is taking time to evaluate your priorities.

#6 — Practice Mindful Attention
Your attention is precious, so you can't just spread it around mindlessly. Multitasking may seem like a great way to cross multiple items off of your to-do list, but it's a recipe for ineffective leadership. In fact, humans are wired to be mono taskers, not multitaskers. Working on your mindfulness and ability to focus will benefit your leadership skills tremendously.

#7 — No Threats, Just Partners
If you’ve begun to see your people as threats to your position, you’re most likely to act defensive and uninspiring. The truth is that your bad behavior is the real threat to your leadership. So instead of focusing on imagined devious behaviors from your people, see them as partners in your mission. Be the kind and compassionate leader they need, and they will support your leadership—not threaten it.

How Are You Leading Your Team?

Are you guilty of being a lousy leader or are you afraid that you might be slipping into these bad behaviors we are describing? Does your workplace culture make you feel like you need to be a jerk to survive? I know it can be tough out there, so I want to hear your stories, so we can offer a healthier alternative to leading in a healthy, productive and successful way.

Drop me a line at joanne.trotta@leadersedgeinc.ca. I can’t wait to hear from you!

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