My article 'Leadership examples from real life and history' is one of the most popular articles amongst the articles published by me in recent times. I came across Google search for examples of bad leadership at my site. It set me thinking and I went back 36 years of my career and evaluated my experience with both good and bad bosses. I am giving below the characteristics of bad leaders. It is by no means exhaustive but should suffice.
Characteristics of Bad Bosses or Bad Leaders
They generally exhibit inbuilt bias and prejudices, have a closed mind and do not see the big picture. They always look for short term gains and cannot look beyond their noses.
They are secretive and get scared when they have subordinates who are more talented than them. They are basically bullies and cowards. They will always stab people in the back.
They are not fair and play favorites. They take vicarious pleasure in putting honest and straightforward people down and demeaning them.
They will criticize you in public, mostly destructive. They will never acknowledge a good job when done but one small error or mistake will be blown out of proportions.
They have no clue about motivating people. They use fear and punishment as weapons.
They use people like toilet paper.
They are the believers in McGregor's theory X. They never trust anyone. They are suspicious of people. They are the kind of people who will not trust their mothers and wives. The most surprising part is that they will expect others to trust them. They are hypocrites and adopt double standards.
They do not hesitate to take short cuts or do unethical or illegal things.
They are intelligent but lack wisdom and maturity. They use their intelligence in a perverted manner.
Such people are like an ill wind that blows nobody any good.
© Copyright, Aug 02-08 . Without prejudice. All rights reserved
Bad Leaders or Bosses - To learn more about this author, visit Madhavan T Gopalachary's Website.
Like this article? Share it with your friends
|
|
Madhavan T Gopalachary
(Visit Madhavan's Website)
Madhavan Gopalachary, nick name "madgopes"
(g pronounced as in go) given by IIT
classmates, is a Mechanical Engineer and
an alumnus of Indian Institute of
Technology, Madras having passed out
specializing in IC Engines &
Thermodynamics.
He has nearly 35 years of experience in
the Corporate World. He started off as a
trainee and handled sales, marketing,
manufacturing, product management, profit
center management, strategic planning and
corporate development including R & D in
various organizations and at various
levels before becoming a CEO. His last two
professional assignments were at CEO level
before embarking to start management
consultancy business on January 01, 1998.
He has worked for British, Swedish MNCs as
well as very large Indian business houses.
He has spent a large portion of his time
from June 1998 till date in East African
Countries practicing as an independent
Management Consultant.
More details can be obtained at the
following web sites:
mmg.name/
mtg.html
mmgconsu
lting.biz/
Madhavan's articles can be accessed at www.madgopes.com
.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
![[Get Copyright Permissions]](http://license.icopyright.net/images/icopy-w.gif){kind=small}
Here is a snippet from my most recent Tip of the Week
Tip 80 - Reaching Out to Former Bosses
