Leadership is not easy and not everyone is suited for it. A good leader can inspire, motivate and support employees. Bad leaders, on the other hand, can significantly worsen the atmosphere at work and reduce employee productivity. It is important to know the characteristics of bad leadership so that you can recognise/avoid them but also change them!
1. Lack of communication
Not communicating is one of the first characteristics of a bad manager. They do not give clear instructions, are unclear about the company’s goals and are not open to feedback. As a result, employees do not feel engaged with the organisation and do not have a clear idea of what is expected of them.
2. Showing no empathy
Bad managers have no empathy for their employees. They are not interested in their employees’ personal lives and do not care if their employees have personal problems. This can lead to a lack of motivation and lowers morale in the workplace.
3. Micro-management
Of course, micro-managing can sometimes be necessary. But at some point, an employee also needs to take ownership. Bad managers control every detail and, on the contrary, do not let their employees take responsibility. This leads to a lack of trust between the manager and employees. It also limits the (personal) growth of employees.
4. Dishonesty
A bad manager is unfair to his or her employees. For example, other colleagues are favoured or treated badly. This can lead to a lack of trust and loss of respect for the manager.
5. No respect
Bad leaders show no respect for their employees. They shout, ridicule or belittle their employees in public. They ignore their work and efforts and blame others for their own mistakes. This lack of respect can lead to a lack of trust and motivation among employees.
6. Lack of vision
No clear vision for the organisation. When an executive lacks vision, they have no clear plans for the future and no strategy for growth and development. Employees do not know where the company is going and have no idea how they can contribute to the organisation’s growth.
7. No coaching or support
Not providing any coaching or support to employees. In this regard, the manager has no interest in the employee’s professional development and does not provide feedback on the work delivered. Employees do not feel supported or valued by the organisation and do not have clear guidelines on how to improve their work.
8. Being overworked and exhausted
Being overworked and feeling tired is also something you often see recurring. The manager takes on too much work and is unable to delegate his or her responsibilities. This leads to a lack of efficiency and can lead to mistakes and delays in projects. In addition, this also limits staff growth.
9. No decision-making
A poor leader is unable to make decisions. They delay decisions or do not take decisions on important issues. This creates uncertainty among employees and can lead to project delays and indecision.
DISC and leadership, how to approach it?
It is crucial for organisations to invest in good leadership qualities. Poor leadership can have devastating consequences for the work environment and employees. Gaining insight into the DISC styles of employees but also of yourself ensures that you can get ahead of such problems. Among other things, you will learn to communicate better with others and give feedback more effectively. But you also become more aware of your own strengths and weaknesses.
Do you want more tips on the DISC behavioural styles in combination with leadership? In the blog DISC and leadership, you can read some characteristics of leaders by DISC style that characterise their way of leading.
