The saying “people don’t leave bad companies; they leave bad bosses” couldn’t be more accurate. It’s surprising how often I hear from colleagues and friends that they’ve either quit or are considering leaving their jobs because of a bad boss. Despite great working conditions and numerous perks, a poor boss can make the work environment unbearable. When employees spend more time trying to decipher their boss’s intentions than actually working, productivity inevitably suffers.
So, what are the traits of a terrible leader? Research from US Success magazine, in collaboration with the Young Entrepreneurs Council and shared by Elizabeth Boyd, Editor in Chief of Excellence in Retail, highlights the following characteristics of poor leadership:
1. Lack of Transparency
A lack of transparency fosters distrust. When employees can’t trust their leader, they second-guess every decision and carefully guard their words. Honesty is crucial for building and maintaining relationships.
2. Not Listening
The best leaders are also the best listeners. Being open to your team’s opinions and ideas is essential for motivation and team buy-in.
3. Dismissing Ideas That Aren’t Yours
This is a significant issue. When leaders dismiss ideas that aren’t their own, it destroys creativity, initiative, and team motivation, resulting in zero buy-in.
4. Valuing Experience Over Potential
The mindset of “you’ve got to do your time before you get promoted” is outdated. It tells ambitious, talented newcomers that their growth is stifled, pushing them to leave.
5. Ego
Effective leaders swallow their egos, acknowledge their mistakes, and give credit where it’s due. They understand that leadership is about the team, not themselves.
6. Working 24/7
Leaders who model a 24/7 work ethic set a damaging example, implying that long hours are necessary for success. Instead, leaders should model balance and emphasise productivity.
7. Lack of Empathy
Poor leaders treat their team like robots, expecting constant performance without considering individual needs. Great leaders support their team, understanding what motivates each person.
8. Overlooking Leadership Development
This is a significant turnoff, especially for millennials who crave learning and growth. All team members need to be challenged and given opportunities to develop new skills.
9. Being Overly Conservative
Sticking to old methods and avoiding risks leads to mediocrity. Leaders should encourage innovation and creative thinking.
10. Permitting Negative Gossip
Negativity spreads quickly. Great leaders address and eliminate negative gossip, fostering a positive team environment.
11. Poor Communication of Strategy
Sharing the big picture, vision, and the “why” behind decisions helps team members understand their role and contribution.
12. Inconsistency
Consistency in actions and words builds trust. Inconsistency causes confusion, leaving your team uncertain of how you might respond.
These traits are a valuable checklist for self-assessment. Regularly reviewing and improving upon these areas can help any leader avoid becoming the kind of boss that drives employees away.
Roger Simpson – CEO, The Retail Solution and Author of “The Ultimate Retail Sales Experience” With over 35 years’ industry experience, Roger Simpson is recognized as Australia’s #1 Authority on customer ROI in the retail industry and as a global expert on staff coaching, customer service, and selling skills.
