We have already written a lot about leadership - mostly advice on how a leader should behave. Now let us take a different view and focus on how leaders should not behave. What personal traits should definitely not be in the portfolio of real leaders? In general, all traits that do not create any value for people. Specifically, we will summarise undesirable characteristics, originally mentioned on Entrepreneur.com. The discussion following the original article, where readers of this leading business-related website share their views on the bad qualities of leaders, is also of interest.
1. Emotional instability
Every leader must be able to control their emotions and also to deal with different types of people. This requires mainly patience and careful observation of the different personalities they are working with. Leaders who show only one emotional outburst after another cannot expect others to take them seriously.
2. Trying to befriend subordinates
Employees do not need a friend, but someone who will lead them and help them fulfil the company's strategy. Remember that it is impossible to please everyone.
3. Gossiping about superiors
Criticising superiors behind their backs significantly undermines the authority of leaders - both of those who are being slandered and those who do the slandering. Employees start to lose trust in their leaders as the rumours begin to spread. Every leader should be able to face directly the conflicts they encounter on a daily basis.
4. Excessive control
If a leader wants to help business grow, they should let employees do their job. Instead of continuously controlling others, they should focus on more strategic activities. This is not easy but it is important to remember the rule. Then it will be easier for you to follow it.
What other bad traits of leaders would you add?
-kk-