How to spot a bad leader
Today I found an article on how to spot a bad leader. I found this interesting because lately in prior classes we've talked about what is often found in great leaders but we have not touched upon on when to know a leader is bad. According to the article on Psychology Today there are four attributes of a bad leader: use of threats and punishments, use of fear tactics, self-serving use of power, and creating factions: in-groups vs out-groups.
A bad leader is spotted easily when the use threats or punishments used. It is considered very ineffective and the leaders goal is just to stop an unwanted behavior. The person being punished may feel hurt or unwanted and it brings down morale. The only way punishment is effective is if is immediately after each behavior or violation. It is also effective if the leader can actually follow through with a punishment. For example "do that again and I'll fire you."
Next a bad leader is spotted when fear tactics are used. Leaders will try and use fear tactics when employees aren't following orders and to get people motivated. Fear only causes stress among employees and can impact production and performance.
Bad leaders are also spotted when they try to self-serve the use of power. Some leaders let the power of their position get to their head and will do things for their own best interest without thinking of the consequences of others.
Finally, the last way bad leaders are often spotted are by creating factions. Some leaders tend to favor some other employees and create an "A-team."There is nothing wrong with creating a little competition but there has to be a balance. You cannot favor employees so much that it ruins the performance of others.
This article was very interesting because I got a different perspective of a leader. I know what consists of a bad leader and it will help me not make any of these mistakes in the future.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/cutting-edge-leadership/200905/how-spot-bad-leader
A bad leader is spotted easily when the use threats or punishments used. It is considered very ineffective and the leaders goal is just to stop an unwanted behavior. The person being punished may feel hurt or unwanted and it brings down morale. The only way punishment is effective is if is immediately after each behavior or violation. It is also effective if the leader can actually follow through with a punishment. For example "do that again and I'll fire you."
Next a bad leader is spotted when fear tactics are used. Leaders will try and use fear tactics when employees aren't following orders and to get people motivated. Fear only causes stress among employees and can impact production and performance.
Bad leaders are also spotted when they try to self-serve the use of power. Some leaders let the power of their position get to their head and will do things for their own best interest without thinking of the consequences of others.
Finally, the last way bad leaders are often spotted are by creating factions. Some leaders tend to favor some other employees and create an "A-team."There is nothing wrong with creating a little competition but there has to be a balance. You cannot favor employees so much that it ruins the performance of others.
This article was very interesting because I got a different perspective of a leader. I know what consists of a bad leader and it will help me not make any of these mistakes in the future.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/cutting-edge-leadership/200905/how-spot-bad-leader
I find #4 the most interesting. This is real organizational poison. The rest are mostly just petty failings. If you find this article interesting, I would suggest you look up Dr. Riggio in our library - he is a chaired professor, which means he has written a lot of articles. You may find his more formal work interesting.
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