Do You Think You're A Toxic Boss? 8 Signs You Might Be One

In 2017, Google came out with one of the most thorough studies of management behaviour ever. Started in 2009, Google spent a year of examining performance appraisals, employee surveys, nominations for the best manager awards, and other sources to assess the differences between the highest- and lowest-rated managers.

Eight hints you're a toxic manager (but don't know it).

Google identified eight qualities in top-performing managers. Ironically, the opposite behaviour of these traits is the direct acts of a toxic boss, though most toxic bosses don't even know they have a problem. If you're a manager, check and see how many of these traits sound like you:

1. You get frustrated when you have to train an employee. The research said the best managers are highly rated by employees for their coaching skills. 

2. You feel the urge to double-check every employee's work. It is a form of micromanaging and is thought to be a very toxic trait.

A good manager should always care for their team members.

3. You don't want to know anything about your team; you only want to see if they're doing their job right. One of the highest predictors of success as a manager is emotional intelligence. If you wish to earn your employee's trust and respect, you need to care about them first.

4. You feel left behind and out of control. One of the signs of poor self-management is appearing out of control and unable to stay on top of your work. If you can't manage your effectiveness and productivity, you can't expect your employees to do much better.

5. You prefer to stay in your office than talk with your team. Anti-social tendencies are a symptom of someone who feels like a lousy communicator.

6. You don't think you need to care about your employees' career growth. Investing in the success of your employees builds loyalty and employee retention. You will also find your employees more valuable.

7. You can't plan for the department's growth because you don't think you can reach your goals with your team. Good managers always have a clear vision for development to communicate to the team as a way to motivate them.

8. You hate that some of your employees have skills that you depend on because you don't have those skills yourself. The best managers know their powers and they do not feel threatened by the strengths of their employees.

If you answered "yes" to one or more of the traits above, you're probably seen as a less effective leader, and maybe even a toxic boss.

Not everyone is cut out to be a manager.

Not everyone is meant to be a manager.

Studies by Gallup show that 82% of the time companies hired the wrong people as managers. Not many employees have the right workplace persona to be a good manager. That doesn't make them a terrible person. It only means they should find a career path that allows them to be an individual contributor so that they can be happier in their career. 

You should spend more time to find the best fit for your unique strengths as it is more important than being a manager.

Why? Because getting a reputation as a "toxic boss" can kill your career.

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Source: INC

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