“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently,” Warren Buffet is known to have said. Here are some characteristics that should be avoided and are usually considered to be less than optimal for those in a leadership position.
As one of the leaders in your business, you have to identify various alternatives, develop recommendations, and make informed decisions. Those decisions will help define your career and help in the growth and continued development of your company. Many times you have to take the road less travelled and make unpopular decisions that will impact the employment status of a co-worker or even terminating a longstanding partnership. It is all part of the leadership process, but even more so, many leaders do not realize that each and every time a decision has to be made, their leadership skills and character are part of the leadership dynamic.
Business founder, executive coach, speaker and author Marcel Schwantes has recently identified several leadership styles or skills to avoid:
Inability to Plan and the Lack of Strategic Vision: Many leaders of companies concentrate too much on short term, tactical successes instead of the planning and development of intermediate to long term strategic visions that should result in better tactical successes. Unfortunately, many managers will opt-out of the planning/strategy process and immediately jump to the tactical level. Schwantes says “Planning ahead and setting clear, achievable goals can steer the ship in the right direction.”
Numbers Instead of People: Schwantes clearly states, “In top-down power structures, employees are considered to be objects or expenses rather than assets; there is little concern for their happiness or well-being since the motive for hiring them was purely productivity and profit. In these pressure cookers, there’s little evidence of leaders displaying compassion and empathy and seeing employee as valued human beings. As a result, you’ll encounter high levels of stress, turnover, absenteeism, and burnout.” The key is obviously to create a healthy balance that focuses on people and profit.
Suppressing Creativity: “Do what you have always done and you will get what you have always had….” as the saying goes. If a leader is dismissing new thoughts or ideas and does not encourage innovation, the creative dynamic will be stifled. “Embracing innovation and being open to fresh approaches can help the organization stay ahead of the curve and adapt to new opportunities” according to Schwantes.
High Turnover and Underperformance: Good leaders attract, retain, and develop outstanding talent. “Poor leaders often face high turnover rates, underperforming teams, and a lack of future leaders within the organization.” says Schwantes.
Narcissisism: Schwantes indicates that research shows narcissistic people; those who are arrogant, self-centered, prideful, or egotistical are showing signs of superiority. Narcissistic leaders “also experienced more interpersonal conflicts and, ironically enough, were prone to shame,” according to Schwantes. He goes on to say, “Truth is, these people hurt businesses in many ways. In my own observations as an executive coach, I have seen these outcomes in leaders exhibiting hubristic pride:
- Taking credit for other people’s work, thereby distancing themselves from others.
- Exaggerating stories and accomplishments because the simple truth doesn’t get enough of a reaction.
- Feeling entitled to star treatment because of their position or title.
- Lacking accountability and failing to exercise active and respectful listening.”
Unwilling to Learn: Schwantes says it well, “The business landscape is always evolving, and leaders need to keep up. Those who resist new things or adapting to changes can quickly become outdated. Embracing continuous learning and being open to feedback can help leaders stay relevant and lead their teams effectively.”
Lack of Integrity: Schwantes, the founder of Leadership From the Core, does a very good job of defining integrity, from a business context. “To reach that state of loyalty where people trust you at your every word requires the daily act of exposing your values, beliefs, convictions, and morals to others in close quarters. When your actions are observed, and you know you can trust your own actions out in the open, your reputation is upheld. People never question your decisions or challenge you on an issue that opposes your character; they know where you stand.” Bad leaders do not exhibit or portray these characteristics. Good leaders not only make promises, they keep them.
These are but a few examples of bad leadership characteristics. The key growth factor for you and your business is to focus on the positive aspects of leadership and not the negative ones.