12 Signs of a Bad Leader
This resource has been created by Brian Dodd of Brian Dodd On Leadership. Brian is the content coordinator of one of the most widely read leadership sites on the internet. He is also the author of the Amazon best-selling book Mighty: 7 Skills You Need to move from Pandemic to Progress.
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As a leader, you want those on your team to be blessed, productive, successful, and fulfilled. But sometimes the opposite happens.
As reported in the February 18, 2024, edition of Morning Brew, a Delta airlines international flight was enroute from Amsterdam to Detroit. For two hours it likely felt like a normal flight for the passengers on board. Snacks and beverages were likely already served. Many were finishing their first of multiple movies. Others were likely deep into their books or naps. Then the unexpected took place.
Maggots started falling on the passengers from an overhead bin!!!! Yes, you read that right. Maggots were on the plane. Where is Samuel L. Jackson when you need him!
A certain passenger had packed rotten fish (and their maggot companions) in their carry-on luggage. This forced the plane to turnaround and return to Amsterdam. Because of one person’s poor decision, hundreds of individuals were negatively impacted.
This extraordinary story provides us a harsh leadership reality – the poor decisions of any leader can negatively impact large numbers of the people they influence.
The following is an explanation of the twelves signs that you are serving under a bad leader. Afterwards, there will be a one-page checklist provided for you. If you recognize these signs in the person you report to, be careful! You may soon have “leadership maggots” falling on your head!
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A Bad Leader Has Continual Failure –
All leaders make mistakes. It is when a leader does not learn from those mistakes and continually makes the same ones that is a problem.
A Bad Leader Continually Misses Opportunities –
There is a difference between sensing opportunity and seizing it. Bad leaders rarely take advantage of the moments given to them.
A Bad Leader Continually Makes Bad Hires –
Just as they struggle recognizing opportunity, bad leaders also have difficulty identifying and retaining top talent.
A Bad Leader Lacks Support From Key People –
Bad leaders turn off and disenfranchise the organization’s key influencers.
A Bad Leader’s Organization Lacks Continuity –
There is a continual revolving door of employees. Bad leaders transition from one employee to the next.
A Bad Leader Lacks Execution –
Strategic initiatives seemingly never come to pass.
A Bad Leader Has Financial Mismanagement –
Like the other items, this is a skill issue. The ability to properly manage a company’s resources is a stewardship issue.
A Bad Leader Is Often A Public Embarrassment –
You never know what they are going to say in a meeting, to a client, or the press. A lot of effort is put towards “keeping them on script.”
A Bad Leader Struggles Recruiting Top Talent –
Quality leaders are not going to leave stable environments for toxic ones.
A Bad Leader Does Not Listen To Good Advice –
They lack the humility needed to learn from others and reject sound counsel.
A Bad Leader Has Negative Momentum –
Nothing seems to ever work.
A Bad Leader Lacks Options –
The organization seemingly has no future. Solutions are nowhere to be found.