5 ways to spot a lousy leader

By James Bennett, Head of Content, Melcrum

Strong, courageous, innovative, visionary, steadfast leaders - there’s been plenty of them over the years in politics, business, the arts, and sport. Just think Winston Churchill, Steve Jobs, Pablo Picasso and Sir Alex Ferguson.

But there have also been plenty of weak, self-serving CEOs. Lately, the global economic crisis seems to have unearthed, incubated and hatched some particularly bad eggs, individuals who seem to have very little regard for others, their staff and the world around them. There’s no need to name names here. I’m sure that simply by mentioning the words environmental disaster, executive pay, financial mismanagement, and scandal you can work out who I might mean.

So what makes someone, elevated to the position of leading an organization, party, movement, ministry or team of professionals, turn into an ignorant, selfish, mistake-maligned, avaricious individual? And how can you spot you’re being led by a bad leader?

1. Couldn't care less: An easy one to spot this one. One of the key ingredients to good leadership is the natural and unflinching ability to care for those you’re leading. You’d think the majority of top bods who get to lead would care but oh no, not all of them are saintly. If you’ve worked at your company for what seems to be a lifetime without any contact from the top dog, watch morale nosedive, dissent spread through the ranks, profits plummet and management’s reputation reach a new low, as the boss continues to ignore the power of good communication.
2. Head in the clouds: A good leader should have a clear sense of purpose and vision, chart a course and provide direction to those they lead. If you don’t know where you or anyone else in the business is heading you may as well head home, and so should your chief exec.
3. Style over substance: He probably loves the camera and the media attention a little too much to see what’s really happening on the ground. “Er, what oil spill? What do you mean it happened last month while I was holidaying in the Bahamas? Oh. Whoops. Yes, Mr Obama I’ll be right there.” The promise of a glitzy profile in the public eye, a Larry King interview, the chance to meet film stars and celebs and attend more charity dinners and movie premieres than even the global cast of Big Brother could manage, have ruined many managers. Those that ignore their priorities and focus on their own egos often fall from grace and from a great height.
4. Experience is the best teacher: Highly educated, overpaid Oxbridge and Ivy League senior figures don’t always make the best leaders. Those that have learned the ropes and started at the bottom of the food chain and risen to the top can often be some of the best business people. So if your boss has the combined logic, academic ability and political experience of George Bush Junior start looking for another job. Fast.
5. He earns more than the GDP of Sierra Leone (US$1.95 billion at current 2008 prices): How many times in the past two years have we heard and read of senior executives and CEOs receiving mind-blowing payoffs, payouts and bonuses while the rest of their workforces either receive very little or even nothing 24 hours after their resignation or during a time when the business in question is performing poorly? If he’s making or is walking off with a sum larger than the poorest nation on our planet then something’s seriously wrong.

So what we all need from a CEO is someone who listens not just to his board and the sound of his own voice but to those that matter the most - his staff and his customers; someone who has experience; who understands the needs and feelings of his employees; who talks to the media when necessary, who lives and breathes his vision and the company strategy; who is alert and alive to the major and the minor happenings occurring internally and externally of the business; who is ethical and only accepts a bonus when deserved; and above all, someone who is able to communicate openly, accessibly, and who isn’t afraid to accept criticism. Now that’s what I’m talking about.

But am I asking too much, and does this person really exist? If so, I’d love to meet him.

Comments

[buy dissertation]

Hi,
Leaders play a major role on the life of a common man, whether they are of any type, a teacher or a politician. Be careful and spot out that you are not following the bad or lousy leader. Thanks for highlighting these important ways in order to spot the lousy leader. Keep posting the good work.

[buy dissertation]

Hi,
Leaders play a major role on the life of a common man, whether they are of any type, a teacher or a politician. Be careful and spot out that you are not following the bad or lousy leader. Thanks for highlighting these important ways in order to spot the lousy leader. Keep posting the good work.

[Payday Loans]

Some great points really well made. Nice work.

[J. Chamberlin]

"So if your boss has the ... academic ability ... of George Bush Jr. start looking for another job. Fast."

Says the graduate of Trent Poly about a man with degrees from Yale and Harvard. Rich, indeed!