Posted on Jul 20, 2015
Have you run into the (7) Signs of Weak Leadership?
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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
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I was always taught you must respect the rank/position but the person wearing the rank/position must earn your respect. So always lead by example earn the respect of your peers and return it and the rank/position will come to you through your actions.
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Sometimes it seems a leader is created merely due to time served, rather than actual leadership ability. I have also seen an amazing amount of favoritism in my days. Regardless of the actual situation, the ability of subordinates to make the boss feel “important” seems paramount. Many can not seem to handle smart subordinates even if the subordinates have no desire other than doing a good job.
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Nearly everyday - more on the government civilian side, followed closely by the officer corp who are focused first and foremost on what they need to do next to advance their career (enter Political Correctness here). The Jr. Officers of today - have not clue about leadership - other than what they've read- and they are conditioned to believe enlisted are the scourge of the Earth - vice seeing them as the backbone of the military and the SNCOs as the self-made leaders with more detailed functional/operational experience than the majority of officers.
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At our office here, the CPT just down the hall has a paper taped to his door by a predecessor, with this simple unsigned statement in big, plain Times New Roman caps:
"If serving is beneath you, then leadership is beyond you."
"If serving is beneath you, then leadership is beyond you."
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Soliciting ideas to make an informed decicion is one thing, leading by consensus is wrong. The infantry has the best motto: Follow me and do as I do".
V/r
Richard
V/r
Richard
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SORRY nothing new here! Read about what George Washington went through and you can go back or forward in history with the same results. Bad leaders are like cockroaches they will always be with us and can survive a nuclear attack. Just have to identify, cope and based on your position and authority make corrections. You can personally fix your unit or at least make a lot of progress but not if you are worrying about everyone else.
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Yes, I know the type. Had one as a major unit commander. Feverent believer in the "beatings will continue until morale improves" school of leadership. He had his shot and was told to retire as a Colonel. Lucky for us troops, his vice commander would go on to 4 stars, and he mitigated the worst damage. I had a DOS then so I was an immune bystander.
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We need war Lord's. Patton was one! In my opinion the best we have ever had. He was there to win the war by any means necessary. Wish our Generals would follow his example other then be Candy Asses. If that offends one on this sight, 15 years of warfare? Please explain that one!
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Love the way this is spelled out and expressed .... And hope it fosters lots of debate and self reflection
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You are so correct, Col. Burroughs & SSgt Robinson. Military leaders should be warriors, not politicians. Remember how may generals were fired by Obama because they dared to tell it like it is and not be politically correct. Now that Donald Trump is POTUS and with his respect for the military, it is hoped that all military personnel can return to what they have been trained to do - defend our country, the US Constitution and our way of life.
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