Knowing if you are a Bad Boss

Sometimes you learn to be a good boss by examining what a poor boss is . . . Inc magazine published the 7 signs that you're a bad boss.

#7 Creation of Boss Rules

The staff has developed ways of working around the boss' behaviors which get passed around to new staff members. In addition, there are separate rules for you, the boss, then others . . . i.e., do as I say not as I do.

#6 Employees start sucking up

Often when a boss is perceived as universally loathed, the staff opportunist offers herself up as sole confidante and friend, seeking power and favor at the expense of more honest, critical employees. The honest, critical employees end up getting left behind and end up leaving the organization (and guess who you are left with . . . "yes" people, which will destroy the unit)

#5 Your staff hides from you

You never see people walk by. Employees would rather circumnavigate the entire office to get to the coffee machine or bathroom than take the shortcut past your door and risk being invited in. Or may even not want to ride with you on an elevator.

#4 Bogus Reviews

Your 360-degree evaluations come back short and full of generically positive comments, with one very mild criticism ("Sometimes she works too damn hard for her own good") thrown in for credibility's sake.

#3 Apprehension

People don't volunteer for your pet projects. The idea sucks, and they're afraid to tell you, or it's brilliant, but the consequences for letting you down are too terrible to imagine. And, of course, if it's your pet project, you'll probably work on it as well. Which means more time spent…gulp…with you.

#2 Former Employees Disappear Forever

You have legions of former employees, but they rarely give your name as a reference for new jobs. Either they don't trust you to give them their due, or they worry that because they were so miserable working for you, your recollections will also be dismal.

#1 The revolving door

You have legions of former employees, period. If your staff falls away like linty Post-it notes, ask yourself: Is high turnover the problem? Or am I? Sometimes, the boss is too arrogant to think that it has to do with them (e.g., it's not me, it's them)

To read more on the Inc article, here is the link: http://www.inc.com/multimedia/slideshows/content/7-signs-that-youre-a-bad-boss_pagen_1.html


One sign of a good leader is self-awareness . . . look constructively at the signs . . . and in the mirror.