The flaws of bad leaders are examined in an article by Jack Zenger and Joseph Folkmanin the Harvard Business Review. They focused on the most prominent shortcomings of poor leaders. They examined 360 degree feedback reports on over 11000 leaders and analysed and prioritised the reasons given for poor performance. The results are as follows:
The worst leaders:
- Lack energy and enthusiasm
- Accept their own mediocre performance
- Lack clear vision and direction
- Have poor judgment
- Don’t collaborate
- Don’t follow the standards they set for others
- Resist new ideas
- Don’t learn from mistakes
- Lack interpersonal skills
- Fail to develop others
The authors conclude, ‘These sound like obvious flaws that any leader would try to fix. But the ineffective leaders we studied were often unaware that they exhibited these behaviors. In fact, those who were rated most negatively rated themselves substantially more positively. Leaders should take a very hard look at themselves and ask for candid feedback on performance in these specific areas. Their jobs may depend on it.’
Paul
This list is so true – a recurring element covered by point 7 & point 10, by past experience I have deduced has a lot to do with jealousy and own insecurities regards not actually having acomplished something themselves that other leaders have & they so crave. So poor leaders lack generosity of spirit which is found in abundance with effective leaders.
And yet you’ll find that poor leaders will often refer to themselves as ‘guru’s’ because that’s what they want to be not because that’s what others think they are.
Very interesting. Thanks for sharing. What do you think about applying the point about “learning” to all points and adding a point about “learning about who you are – including learning about personal values”?