Six Poor Leadership Behaviours Every Boss Should Avoid

The leader sets the tone for the organisation and depending on their influence, every employee has the potential to become better or worse. A bad leader will create a working environment so toxic that employees are actively looking for a way out. 

There are particular qualities and actions that prevent bosses from being great leaders. Here are six behaviours that poor leaders often exhibit and should be avoided:

1. Self-serving

It's not difficult for employees to find out when their leader is doing things with one thing in mind: themselves. Most companies work from the top-down, and an employer's goal should align with that of the company's mission and core values, which should finally act as guiding principles for the people below them.

If a boss treats their employees like pawns instead of people, it's clear to those around them that they are letting self-interest and narcissism get the best of them. This will cause strife and tension in the workplace.

2. Expectations are not communicated clearly

This type of leader assumes that their employees know what is expected of them. Bosses that possess this behaviour expects the employees to excel at their jobs even though they are not aware of the role they play in the organisation and the responsibilities they hold, which is very unrealistic. 

A good leader should always communicate their vision with the staff and let them know what it takes to achieve success in their roles. 

3. Works around the clock 

It is admirable for a boss to burn the midnight oil sometimes. But what is not okay is when a leader makes it a habit. When you are running a business, it's crucial to have an on and off switch. As a leader, one must develop a solid work-life balance and let their weekends be their weekends and not extra days for work.

Passion can only get them so far, and sooner or later all of the hustling will push them to the peak. It's not just mentally toxic for a business leader to work non-stop but this mentality trickles down as employees will feel that they need to work all the time too. The whole organisation could suffer from burnout. 

Self-serving leaders serve no one but themselves.

4. Micromanages every single thing

A boss has plenty of tasks and at times, they can feel never-ending. But, to become a great leader, one has to learn how to delegate responsibilities and trust that their staff will get them done. Otherwise, there's no point in hiring employees in the first place.

When a leader does not trust their employees with the work they are supposed to do, the leader oftentimes finds themselves micromanaging. Micromanaging does not only waste one's times, but it can cause trouble in the workplace as employees will constantly feel like they are being ridiculed, not trusted and unable to properly get their work done.

5. Always absent

Leaders are important role models because they have the power to influence everyone in the organisation. They set an example and cultivate relationships with employees, be it positive or negative.

According to Harvard Business Review, absenteeism is one of the most toxic traits of a leader. It can lead to increased stress, feelings of complacency, role ambiguity and even workplace bullying. 

In order to develop, employees should always receive constructive feedback and their accomplishments must be recognised. This is how they will know that the company leadership actually cares about them.

6. Motivates employees through fear

When a boss uses fear to manage or control their staff it's always because they do not have the skills to motivate their team in a more productive way. Fear is a bad motivator because it causes employees to perceive their work environment as unsafe and makes them less likely to share their opinions or discuss problems. 

Some employers think that fear is productive. The truth is it actually paralyzes the employees. Fear results in a decrease in creativity and overall dissatisfaction that can make employee retention an uphill battle. 

These behaviours can negatively impact the whole organisation and worst-case scenario, it will result in the death of the organisation. As a leader, you must make sure you do not possess any of these destructive behaviours and lead your organisation to success.

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