Want to Keep Your Best People? Ditch These 5 Habits of the Worst Bosses

Don't forget: Today is the last day to register for my live workshop happening tomorrow. Details at the bottom of this post.

Picture reporting to a?manager,?and suddenly, it dawns on you: My boss just isn’t cut out for leading others. Then you wonder: How in the world did they make it this far?

I’ve thought about this plenty of times. People are promoted into leadership roles every day, not based on leadership competencies like emotional intelligence and trust development, but on individual performance or more valued masculine traits, such as confidence and charisma.

Over time, confidence can transform into hubris, and charisma can shift into narcissism. Before long, your employees feel disengaged and frustrated that someone was placed in the esteemed role of a “leader" despite lacking the ability to guide other human beings.?

Over the course of 22?years coaching and developing leaders, I have observed firsthand many counterproductive–even toxic–management behaviors that destroy morale and strip the dignity of employees.

1. Stealing?the spotlight

The team puts together?a wonderful product, and the?client can’t stop talking about how elated they are. And then it happens: The manager takes all the credit.?No praise for the team, no celebration of everyone’s?success, no recognition of team members' contributions. This typical mistake of stealing the light and thunder away from the team will demoralize employees and send a clear message that they’re not valued.?

2. Missing in action

Research?shows that one of the most common forms of incompetent and destructive management styles is “absentee leadership.“?They’re psychologically disconnected?from their teams and avoid meaningful involvement?with them. Previous research I've tracked found?that eight of the top nine complaints about leaders concerned behaviors that were?absent; employees were most concerned about what their bosses?didn’t?do.

3. Failing to share information

Managers who hoard information do so to exert their influence and dominate their environment along with the people within it. This oppressive exercise of power and control is the most effective way to undermine trust. In contrast, a responsible leader fosters an atmosphere of trust by sharing information and being transparent with their team.

4. Lack of accountability

You’ve heard the saying, “For every finger you point at someone, there’s three pointing back at you.” This toxic management behavior is directly related to a lack of personal accountability, which stems from hubristic pride, entitlement issues, and a feeling of being above others due to positional authority.

5. Incompetence

This may be a boss who was promoted too quickly or hired carelessly and holds a position that exceeds their leadership capabilities. Worse yet, the people reporting to this boss may be senior-level and possess the expertise that the boss lacks. As a result, working for such a boss can be detrimental to your health.?Researchers have found?that the less competent employees rated their boss’s leadership skills, the greater the risk for heart disease among employees.?

Your turn: Let's raise the bar on leadership. What have you seen that may indicate bosses are not cut out to lead others? Leave a comment and let's engage in the discussion.

Last Chance to Grab Your Spot (From Boss to Leader Workshop)

Last chance to join us for the live half-day workshop tomorrow, where I will teach you the skills and mindset to become a leader your employees will love.

If you can’t make it live to the workshop tomorrow, January 28, 11:00 a.m. EST (U.S), don’t worry because I am recording it!

Here are the details:

Date: Tuesday, January 28th, 2025

Time: 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. EST (U.S.)

Price: $229.00 USD

Link to register: https://www.marcelschwantes.com/frombosstoleader/#checkout

DO NOT REGISTER...unless this applies to you:

? You want to learn new skills to be a more effective human/people leader.

? You’re willing to face your blind spots and learn new habits and skills.

? You want to develop the skills that will inspire and bring out the best in people.

? You’re willing to get honest about what’s not working and where you need to grow.

? You’re interested in a tested, evidence-based approach to leadership development (instead of “flavor-of-the-month”).

? You want a simple and practical way to set new leadership goals for yourself.

? You prefer an interactive, engaging and experiential way of learning (no boring lectures!)?

Here’s What You’ll Learn

Click here for the agenda.