Posted on Jul 20, 2015
Have you run into the (7) Signs of Weak Leadership?
55.4K
732
174
104
104
0
SEE ENTIRE ARTICLE BELOW
Have you run into the (7) Signs of Weak Leadership?
By Aleksandr Noudelman
Experienced Educator & Fitness Coach
It’s vital to understand that just because someone is in a leadership position, doesn’t necessarily mean they are meant to be in it. Put another way, not all leaders are born leaders. The problem many organizations are suffering from is a recognition problem – they can’t seem to distinguish the good leaders from bad ones.
Here are a few key behaviors that beset a weak leader:
1. Their team routinely suffers from burnout
Being driven and ambitious are important traits for successful leaders. However, if you are excessively working your people or churning through staff than you aren’t effectively using your resources. You may take pride in your productivity, in doing more with less. However, today’s success may undermine long-term health. Crisis management can become a way of life that reduces morale and drives away or diminishes the effectiveness of dedicated people. With any business, there are times when you have to burn the midnight oil but it should be accompanied with time for your team to recharge and refuel.
2. They lack emotional intelligence
Leaders who are weak are always envious of other peoples' successes and are happy when other people fail. They see themselves in fundamental competition with other executives and even with their subordinates. Such envy is a root cause of the turf wars, backbiting, and dirty politics that can make any workplace an unhealthy one.
3. They don’t provide adequate direction
Failing to provide adequate direction can frustrate employees and will hinder their chances at completing tasks correctly and success. Poor leaders might not tell employees when a project is due or might suddenly move the deadline up without regards for the employee who's doing it. Project details can also be vague, making it difficult for staff to guess what factors the leader considers important. If a project involves participation from more than one employee, a poor leader may choose not explain who is responsible for what part. Good leaders provide adequate direction and are always there to provide descriptive feedback when it is needed.
4. They find blame in everyone but themselves
Weak leaders blame everyone else for their mistakes and for any mishaps that happen to them and their division/company. Every time they suffer a defeat or a setback, a subordinate is given the talk down, or worse, an axe. Great leaders don't do this and they always stay positive no matter what the circumstances are. They are accountable for the results and accept full responsibility for the outcomes.
5. They don’t provide honest feedback
It is very difficult for weak leaders to give the honest messages or constructive feedback to their subordinates. When they have to say something negative to someone, it's always someone else, usually a superior, who has told them to do. By that time it is to late and the leader hasn't really identified the problem before it reached the climax. They also make it a point to let the individual know that it's not their idea. Good leaders speak from the heart and provide honest feedback that is backed up by facts. They never wait for superiors to identify problems for them.
6. They're Blind To Current Situation
Because weak leaders are egocentric and believe that their way is the only way, their followers are afraid to suggest anything new. Those who follow such leaders only give them praise or the good news. Such appreciation only gives a boost to their status and ego and the leader is left clueless as to what the current situation is as well as the changing trends in the marketplace.
7. They're Self-Serving
If a leader doesn't understand the concept of “service above self” they will not retain the trust, confidence, and loyalty of their subordinates. Any leader is only as good as their team’s hope to be led by them. Too much ego, pride, and arrogance are not signs of good leadership. Long story short; if a leader receives a vote of non-confidence from their subordinates…the leader is a weak one.
Have you run into the (7) Signs of Weak Leadership?
By Aleksandr Noudelman
Experienced Educator & Fitness Coach
It’s vital to understand that just because someone is in a leadership position, doesn’t necessarily mean they are meant to be in it. Put another way, not all leaders are born leaders. The problem many organizations are suffering from is a recognition problem – they can’t seem to distinguish the good leaders from bad ones.
Here are a few key behaviors that beset a weak leader:
1. Their team routinely suffers from burnout
Being driven and ambitious are important traits for successful leaders. However, if you are excessively working your people or churning through staff than you aren’t effectively using your resources. You may take pride in your productivity, in doing more with less. However, today’s success may undermine long-term health. Crisis management can become a way of life that reduces morale and drives away or diminishes the effectiveness of dedicated people. With any business, there are times when you have to burn the midnight oil but it should be accompanied with time for your team to recharge and refuel.
2. They lack emotional intelligence
Leaders who are weak are always envious of other peoples' successes and are happy when other people fail. They see themselves in fundamental competition with other executives and even with their subordinates. Such envy is a root cause of the turf wars, backbiting, and dirty politics that can make any workplace an unhealthy one.
3. They don’t provide adequate direction
Failing to provide adequate direction can frustrate employees and will hinder their chances at completing tasks correctly and success. Poor leaders might not tell employees when a project is due or might suddenly move the deadline up without regards for the employee who's doing it. Project details can also be vague, making it difficult for staff to guess what factors the leader considers important. If a project involves participation from more than one employee, a poor leader may choose not explain who is responsible for what part. Good leaders provide adequate direction and are always there to provide descriptive feedback when it is needed.
4. They find blame in everyone but themselves
Weak leaders blame everyone else for their mistakes and for any mishaps that happen to them and their division/company. Every time they suffer a defeat or a setback, a subordinate is given the talk down, or worse, an axe. Great leaders don't do this and they always stay positive no matter what the circumstances are. They are accountable for the results and accept full responsibility for the outcomes.
5. They don’t provide honest feedback
It is very difficult for weak leaders to give the honest messages or constructive feedback to their subordinates. When they have to say something negative to someone, it's always someone else, usually a superior, who has told them to do. By that time it is to late and the leader hasn't really identified the problem before it reached the climax. They also make it a point to let the individual know that it's not their idea. Good leaders speak from the heart and provide honest feedback that is backed up by facts. They never wait for superiors to identify problems for them.
6. They're Blind To Current Situation
Because weak leaders are egocentric and believe that their way is the only way, their followers are afraid to suggest anything new. Those who follow such leaders only give them praise or the good news. Such appreciation only gives a boost to their status and ego and the leader is left clueless as to what the current situation is as well as the changing trends in the marketplace.
7. They're Self-Serving
If a leader doesn't understand the concept of “service above self” they will not retain the trust, confidence, and loyalty of their subordinates. Any leader is only as good as their team’s hope to be led by them. Too much ego, pride, and arrogance are not signs of good leadership. Long story short; if a leader receives a vote of non-confidence from their subordinates…the leader is a weak one.
Leader
Leadership
Leadership Development
Education
Toxic Leadership
Edited 9 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 95
4
4
0
4
4
0
Sir, I have seen or been a part of all those. From local to federal governments its is rampart. SPC George Rudenko is correct. The local county admin here don't hire anyone in management positions smarter than they are. there seems to be very little pride in the work place anymore. You can see it in their dress, their attitude, and their work ethics. All goes back to weak or no leadership.
(4)
(0)
SPC Douglas Bolton
I hear you SMSgt Roger Horton I have worked with a few principals like that during my teaching years.
(2)
(0)
4
4
0
I have seen numerous cases of each while on AD and after retiring. In the civilian sector there is a tendency to promote based solely on technical knowledge. People move into top management positions bypassing the normal progression from being led, leading at the "front line" floor positions, and through middle management. And then the executives wonder why that person, who was such a shining superstar, fails at being a leader.
(4)
(0)
GySgt Kenneth Pepper
I had to add another example. I have mentioned it before but it is such a good (terrible) example I had to post it again.
While on Recruiting duty serving as the acting NCOIC of an office I attended a meeting that was normally only for the "career recruiters" who spent most of their careers segregated from the real Marine Corps.
From the senior enlisted advisor, also known as the Recruiter Instructor, to the office NCOICs:
"Canvassing Recruiters are disposable items. You must push them with reckless abandon. If they leave after 3 years with their marriages intact, you have not done your job."
This was in reference to Marines with anywhere from 5-15 years TIS who were unlucky enough to have their number drawn to go out and find the next generation.
By far the worst example of leadership I ever encountered.
While on Recruiting duty serving as the acting NCOIC of an office I attended a meeting that was normally only for the "career recruiters" who spent most of their careers segregated from the real Marine Corps.
From the senior enlisted advisor, also known as the Recruiter Instructor, to the office NCOICs:
"Canvassing Recruiters are disposable items. You must push them with reckless abandon. If they leave after 3 years with their marriages intact, you have not done your job."
This was in reference to Marines with anywhere from 5-15 years TIS who were unlucky enough to have their number drawn to go out and find the next generation.
By far the worst example of leadership I ever encountered.
(2)
(0)
4
4
0
Leadership training starts at the very bottom. Its how the foundation is build. I was very fortunate to have some wonderful mentors who showed me the things that I needed to know to become successful as a leader. First as a solider you have to follow before you can lead. One very smart NCO told me as a young solider you have to be well rounded. In order to do this you should pick one thing from each one of your leaders that they excel at and learn it from them this way you become proficient in all areas of being a solider. For example if one NCO/Officer was all about PT then learn everything you can from him about PT. If another excels at his MOS/Job skill then learn that from him. If another takes care of his troops better than anyone you have ever seen then watch and learn from him and so on. Be smart on all the regulations everything you need to know someone has written it down somewhere that you can find the answers too. No one is going to know everything but you should be able to know where to find the answers to any questions you have. That way when it becomes your time your experienced in all areas you need to be to perform your job as a leader. You must be proficient yourself before you can mentor others. Any leaders over all goal is to accomplish there mission. With that said you need your troops to work as an effective team. This means you have to take care of your soldiers first and provide them with an education and discipline because if you don't know how to you cant expect them too know. This means taking an interest in each one of them and learn what there strong and week points are. Once you have figured that out its up to you to teach them how to overcome there short comings. The old saying your only as good as your weakest link. If one of your soldiers is lacking more times then not its the leaders fault. I used to have a CSM I worked for that said we don't have any bad soldiers just bad leaders. If your troops fail then you fail and thats on you as a leader. You are ultimately responsible for your actions and those that are under you. You have to be willing to except the consequences and not pass the buck for the things that happen to your team. Being a great leader is not an easy task. It requires a blend Caring Discipline and Proficiency. Its just like anything in life you will make mistakes you have to learn from. The only difference is when you make a mistake as a leader your whole team suffers. There are exceptions to the rule sometimes you just get a solider that just wasn't meant for that life and its up to you to get rid off them so everyone else does not suffer. I have found its a lot easier to lead if your soldiers want to follow you and not let you and the team down. Anyone can tell someone to do something but to make them want to do it is another story. I have worked for people that were shit bags and only cared about them selves its very frustrating and usually everyone suffers for it. When those people get ahead from back stabbing others believe me it makes me sick and they are out there. I call them shit bags because the title is well deserved. The moral of the story is don't be a shit bag!!!!!
(4)
(0)
4
4
0
5 out of 7 where I currently work. Unfortunately the direct leaders at the clinic also suffer from burnout. Not a good combo. But the "upper echelon" if the company have zero clue what goes on daily. This is a stepping stone for me and it's soon time to hop to the next one. One thing I can say - I have learned a lot from poor leadership & if ever in a supervisory position I will be able lead well.
(4)
(0)
SPC Douglas Bolton
Keep climbing the ladder Jenn Moynihan. I know you will be the right leader to help straighten things out.
(2)
(0)
SFC (Join to see)
As a Sergeant above me once said, "if you don't like your leadership, get promoted above them". Best of luck on your career.
(2)
(0)
Jenn Moynihan
SPC Douglas Bolton - I may have to carry my ladder with but I'll definitely move up a few wrungs! Thank you!!
(2)
(0)
Jenn Moynihan
SFC (Join to see) - Touché. That and I've always heard "hire people that are smarter than you are"
(2)
(0)
4
4
0
Unfortunately in government service the yes people get promoted because they are the yes people. They eventually run things and continue to promote the same type of yes people so this type of management never ends. New, innovative, out of the box solutions are frowned upon because to change the status quo means taking a chance. Taking a change raises the possibility of something go wrong. If something goes wrong then someone has to pay the price hence just saying yes eases the burden on everyone. The bureaucracy lumbers on.
(4)
(0)
SFC (Join to see)
Sounds like the Peter Principle in action. I.e. These "yes" people have risen to the level of their incompetance.
(2)
(0)
4
4
0
They are often hypocrites. Many are also fearful they will be discovered and that is why they are often on the offensive.
(4)
(0)
4
4
0
3
3
0
Not everyone will make a good leader, however everyone should try at least once. Becoming a good leader takes practice and good mentorship. Some people are naturally good leaders, but for those that aren't, find a mentor that you think is a good leader and learn from them. You'll make mistakes, but that's the only way to learn.
(3)
(0)
3
3
0
It’s really easy to sit back and commiserate on the 7 signs of weak leadership. All of us can recall instances and anecdotes where weak and poor leadership has affected our units, our mission and, perhaps, each of us as individuals. It’s much harder to stand back and look into the mirror and perform a little objective self-evaluation. No matter how high in the leadership chain we rise the challenge of being a “leader” is never easy. Those that think that assuming the role as a leadership is easy are delusional. I went from being a young Air Force buck sergeant team chief to running a corporate IT organization with over 100 professionals scattered all over the country. Regardless of the level of leadership the challenges remained the same. There were times both in the military and in civilian life where I had to put on the “asshole” hat and have both superiors and subordinates wonder if I’d missed “taking my meds.” I’ll have to admit, there were times I wish I’d taken something.
A couple of things I would recommend to anyone in a leadership position is the book “What They Don't Teach You at Harvard Business School: Notes from a Street-smart Executive” and the 1949 movie “Twelve O’Clock High.” The book outlines tools and techniques one can use to sharpen their leadership skills. The movie gets down to the nitty gritty of leaders who feel they know everything but ultimately find out they know very little. Twelve O’Clock High used to be mandatory viewing for all new cadets at the Air Force Academy. I don’t know if it still is but it should be.
A couple of things I would recommend to anyone in a leadership position is the book “What They Don't Teach You at Harvard Business School: Notes from a Street-smart Executive” and the 1949 movie “Twelve O’Clock High.” The book outlines tools and techniques one can use to sharpen their leadership skills. The movie gets down to the nitty gritty of leaders who feel they know everything but ultimately find out they know very little. Twelve O’Clock High used to be mandatory viewing for all new cadets at the Air Force Academy. I don’t know if it still is but it should be.
(3)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google