RightToLead.com

We all at one time or another experienced working under a “Bad Manager,” many of us have moved onto new jobs because of this, others have had their careers blocked but stayed on. What are the five types of Bad Company Leaders?

When economies are booming, working under a bad Boss can be a temporary measure, as we can always move onto something better. But in times of limited job opportunities, and rising unemployment, we may choose to remain under a bad Leader.

Signs of a bad Leader are easy to spot. The Company have a high staff turnover, the aura around the workplace is threatening, and dictatorial. No one can speak openly and frankly to their boss, whilst meetings are often a one way street of criticism. But what are the six types of Bad Leaders, many people work under.

1. The Prosecutor

Prosecutors tend to only focus on the negative, and look continually for faults. They tend to intimidate you rather than, encourage and mentor you. Prosecutors tend to be aggressive perfectionists, who may not recognize imperfection within themselves.

2. The Rule Changer

Every Organization has a certain set of rules, but when these rules start changing it often leads to confused employers, and an angry boss. Company Leaders should communicate any changes in rules, in writing, some bosses simply do not bother.

3. The Underminer

Asking for assistance is common within any organization, and often a good leader has a team that has the ability to work together well. An underminer may ask for assistance but then could make it impossible for you to help. This leads to frustration, and leads to a bad impression.

4. The Chronic Critic

Criticism can be positive, but there are ways to communicate criticism. Continued criticism, even about the smallest and most unimportant matters- wear down employees and de-motivate them. Chronic critics tend to be hypocrites, and employees look at them as hypocritical, rather then inspirational.

5. The Checked out Boss

When someone is continually checking on what we do, it often makes us feel like children again. Employees today are often multi-skilled, and knowledgeable but continued checks go against the self-management skill’s needed in many of today’s working environments.

6. The Insensitive Manager

We are all human, and all have our own cultural traits. Multi-cultural workplaces are harder to work in, under an insensitive manager. Some cultures see shouting and threatening as being ‘uneducated and rude.” Managers, who shout and threaten, tend to lose respect in any culture.

Bad Leadership at work can create a loss in profits, high staff turnover, and a fearful staff that are unable to make decisions. The Economic crisis exposed bad leaders, and saw their empires crumble under debt and bailouts. Recognizing the faults in our leaders, and in ourselves, could help us determine the way we work, and how we should pursue our future careers.