The first article on how to know that if your boss has a bad leadership style focuses on lack of understanding and shouting habits. The habit of shouting and blaming the employees is a sign that your boss is not a good individual. The similar case applies for a boss that does not understand core functions of the organization. Of course, there are some signs of a bad boss you need to anticipate.

Signs of Bad Leadership Style: a Show Horse

How do you differentiate a show horse from a workhorse? The answer to this question is evident from how you answer the next question, “Does your boss promote himself or promote the business? A work horse is a boss that puts business before himself. He lives and dies by the business. He makes the business his passion, and his mission is to drive the organization to a better state. He optimizes all resources owned by the organization to drive it forward.

On the other hand, a show horse is a boss that promotes himself first. He focuses on promoting his own image. He always wants to show others that he contributes the most for the organization’s success. He is driving his own platform and putting himself above the business. A show horse will not be able to build a powerful team, since the employees and team members will lose confidence in the boss.

Signs of Bad Leadership Style: Ignorance about the Culture

Another sign of a bad leadership style is failure to understand the culture in the organization. Regardless of leadership level, the bosses need to embrace the organizational culture. They need to get in touch with their colleagues within the organization. Unless they understand the culture, the boss will not be able to embrace the spirit and mission of the company as a whole.

Of course, understanding the organizational culture needs time, engagement, and listening. This may be more difficult than understanding he next books or speaking in front of people. In simple words, a boss that does not understand and embrace the organizational culture will put himself disconnected from the organization as a whole. When he is disconnected, no solid team will be established. This further weakens the organizational culture. In the end, weak culture in company will destroy every aspect of the business.

Signs of Bad Leadership Style: Ignorance about Time

A bad boss does not respect time. If you find that your boss wastes time, you will then find him miss the big picture. This may begin with small mistakes that grow bigger and bigger, or continuous inefficiencies that may result in loss. On the other hand, a good leader respects time very much. He focuses on the big picture and identifies what matters with the business. He streamlines the business process and tries anything possible to minimize inefficiencies.

So far, five characters of a bad leadership style have been discussed. They begin with lack of understanding on the business, bad interpersonal traits like shouting, ignorance about time, ignorance about organizational culture, and habits of promoting himself. If you find the qualities in your boss, you had better get ready to find another job.