Most top managers exhibit some sort of dysfunction that first helps them reach their position, but later prevents them from realising their full potential. Properly identifying the signs of this dysfunction could help them overcome it; the problem is that they usually consider themselves absolutely normal.
According to CBS News, there are 7 signs of dysfunctional bosses:
- Playing a game with changing rules. One day you’re an advisor, but if they sense they are under threat, the rules change and you lose your position.
- Deeply focusing on details, often insignificant. Some top managers, for example, focus on what you wear and notice your every detail. It is a sign of people that need to control and usually stems from their own fears or sadness.
- Claiming themselves people's persons. They thrive on attention and admiration to feed their inner insecurity. They are, however, rarely capable of true emotional connection.
- Being hypersensitive and vindictive in case of rejection. Anything you do can be seen as a personal affront. Even just not letting them be the centre of attention will be met with repercussions: sometimes open, sometimes subtle.
- Not accepting their own failures. They always point fingers. Outwardly they say that they too make mistakes, but never actually admit to anything specific. They worry that by owning up they will lose their position.
- They love distractions and hate surprises. They look for distractions from the mundane routine and initiate them themselves. But they hate it when you surprise them with serious news, especially when it’s not good. The worst of all is when they find out in front of others.
- They sees plots all around. They see deep meaning in insignificant circumstances. That’s why they sometimes overreact. Even though it’s stressful for them, blowing up an event makes them feel big and self-important.
Now, before you start diagnosing the managers at your company with disorders, keep in mind that “normal” is a relative term. Most of us are somewhere on the curve.
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