Skip to main content

7 Signs That You are A Bad Boss (and 4 Ways to Grow

If you haven't had a frustrating boss in your life, then you are part of a slim minority.


Most of us have experienced a manager that's driven us to frustration or brought us to tears. Here are some "Bonehead Boss" stories from CBS News to make you grimace:


1 - After months of hard work, I closed a deal for $7,000,000. My customer bought the equipment because of our strong personal relationship and my company's technical capabilities. Six months later they doubled the order. My bosses, thinking that they had closed the deal, limited my commission to a fraction of what it should have been. I found a new job and quit. A week later my customer moved the order to my new company.


2 - I had worked at a camp for five summers during college when my best friend unexpectedly died from heart failure. When I returned from the funeral, my grandfather was on his deathbed. Obviously upset, I approached my boss and explained the situation. She said "Well, you'll have to get over it and get on with your life. I can't let you go again." My grandfather died the next week. When I told my boss about his upcoming funeral she said, "You should have planned better, you have no bereavement time left."


Ouch.


What if the Bad Boss is You?


Whether its disrespect, micro-managing, or verbal abuse, bad experiences with a boss can make people dread going to work each day.


But what if the bad boss is you?


According to the 2017 "Bad Boss Index" from Bamboo HR, here are seven mistakes managers frequently make. They:



  • Take credit for stuff they didn't do
  • Don't appear to trust or empower their employees
  • Don't seem to care if their people are overworked
  • Don't advocate for employee compensation
  • Don't back up employees when there's a dispute between staff and company clients
  • Don't set clear expectations or provide proper direction on assignments/roles
  • Focus more on employee weaknesses than strengths

How many of these characteristics apply to your leadership?


If you can relate, consider talking with your employees and asking how you can improve. Try to understand the impact of your faults and use this as motivation to change. People will trust you more when you are honest about your weakness.


Four Steps For Growth as a Leader


As you listen and implement change, here are four steps toward positive change:


1. Ask honest questions and listen without becoming defensive.


Even if only a part of the criticism is true, your ability to sift through exaggeration (without rejecting feedback entirely) will grow you in leadership and character.


2. Deal with feedback directly.


Don't discount a complaint or place the blame on others. Seek accountability and ownership for how others perceive you.


3. Take immediate action.


Give affirmation to the feelings and requests of others and look for two or three quick changes you can make to remedy frustration.


Try to sow in the opposite spirit: if you micromanage, be more intentional about delegating. If you criticize too often, seek to encourage more.


4. Establish weekly leadership goals and share them with someone you trust.


Have someone (a neutral friend or respected co-worker) hold you accountable for necessary changes, and schedule check-ins for at least one month as you move ahead.


Remember, a person who feels appreciate will often do more than you expect. Take ownership over your leadership and your team will flourish as you grow!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

5 Print Marketing Pieces that will Woo Your Corporate Clients

Some of the most effective ways of communicating value don’t require looking up a website or downloading a mobile device teaser program. In fact, non-digital marketing activities win over corporate clients regularly without ever needing to be plugged in. Here are five of them. 1. Business Cards Yes, those traditional business cards are still winners. Business cards provide critical contact information and enough detail on how to connect with an organization quickly. Whether by email, text, phone, or mail, the info on a business card is powerful. People love business cards because they are easy to transfer, pack, save, and reference. In the corporate world, business cards still resonate. 2. Letterheads and Stationary In a day and age when so much communication happens by email and texting, the traditional letter stands out, even in a mail pile full of folders and generic material. Best used when conveying a personal connection, professional letterhead is loved by co...
3 comments
Read more

Share Your Brand Story to Create Distinct, Authentic Connections

In a noisy marketplace, businesses must work smarter to grab prospects and lock in loyalty. But the desire for relationship is mutual. According to Cheetah Mobile marketing director Josh Ong, customers don’t just want to buy, they want to buy into something: “Millennials are more likely than any other demographic to be brand loyal. But millennials don’t choose which brand to be loyal to at random, instead, they are highly attuned to the story that a brand tells, as well as the values that brand exhibits.” No one can resist a good story! Need proof? Here’s a fun brand story from eyewear retailer Warby Parker : Warby was founded as a rebellious upstart to tackle the problem of expensive eyewear because of a frustrating personal experience. During a backpacking trip, one of Warby’s founders lost his glasses. Since he was a broke grad student, he couldn’t afford to replace them, and he spent the rest of the semester squinting. By circumven...
Post a Comment
Read more

How to Prepare Large-Format Projects for Print

When you want to flaunt your finest, large-format printing can make an oversized impact! Large-format printing includes products printed at a length of 18-100 inches with a minimum width of 60 inches. Some of the most popular items include posters, window graphics, yard signs, vehicle wraps, vinyl banners, media backdrops, and more. While large-scale graphics are stunning, these projects require special preparation, so these images remain vibrant and sharp when stretched to larger-than-life proportions. If you plan to go BIG, here are some factors to consider. Communicate from the Start When diving in on a large-scale printing, create a detailed brief and use this to speak to your printer as early as possible. Try to include everything from the size, design, materials, and deadlines. Your printer will work with you to be sure your ideas are achievable, and the timeline is realistic. Set Appropriate Image Specifications As you connect with a printer, be sure your images ...
Post a Comment
Read more