A bad boss is bad news for the team he or she manages, the company and customers. A bad bass can turn a cordial working environment to a toxic one, jeopardize the company’s reputation and engage in unethical acts. We’ve heard of people who quit a role not because they didn’t enjoy it, but because they worked with a bad boss.
A recent poll reported 76% of employees currently have or recently had a toxic boss. While only 19% describe their boss as a mentor. This is something employers and employees alike should pay more attention to!
The perception of a bad boss is subjective. However, when an entire team shares the same opinion of their boss, then there might be truth to the consensus.
It is important to know if you’ve got a bad boss or are about to hire one into your environment. What are the red flags to look out for? There are a lot of telltale signs depending on the dynamics of the team and company culture.
Here are some universal signs of a bad boss
Speaks poorly of their current or past employer: Understandably, good people leave good companies for various reasons. No matter the reason, you want to present yourself and your past or current employer in the best possible way. A potential bad boss will make themselves look good while making the last or current employer look bad – especially when interviewing with another company in the same marketplace.
Sometimes, they promise to come with a book of contacts and transfer business from the current or past employer to the hiring company. Bad move!
They are unqualified: Usually, one can’t tell until the bad boss takes up the position and their incompetence shows up. Before getting the role, they lie about their experiences or education and would be defensive around the topic.
I once worked with one who had a “Batcherlors” from a local university on his resume. Turns out he never went to college! Of course, he felt threatened by my level of education and experience. You can guess how that story ended.
They are never wrong…never: Even when they make obvious mistakes, they don’t think it is appropriate to make a correction. Instead, they shift the blame to others. Similarly, they are not open to feedback or correction.
Owning up to mistakes is a sign of a safe environment. Taking feedback is a sign of maturity and openness to growth and development. When a boss shifts blame, they risk demotivating the team and sucking the fun out of the environment. Also, if one isn’t open to feedback, how do you expect others to receive your feedback?
Expects you to be just like them: Great leaders enjoy the dynamics of diversity and take time to understand the different personalities of their teammates. A bad boss, however, prefers to work only with those who are like them. They expect you to write emails like them, make calls like them and present like them – essentially, they want to cast their image on everything you do. What fun is there in that?!
Gossips: This is a no-go! If the boss always has something to say about everyone – current or past relationships – you must watch yourself.
Takes all the credit and is quick to throw others under the bus: This is a classic case of hogging the spotlight and shifting blame. Great leaders know to do the opposite – give credit to those around them and take the blame upon themselves.
If you find yourself working with a bad boss, especially one that isn’t open to feedback, be sure to get others on your side. Involve Human Resources, their manager and perhaps your team. Have open conversations with a third party to be sure both (or all) sides are heard and create a plan for resolution.
What can employers do when they find themselves with a bad boss in their environment? The first step is to acknowledge the situation. Perhaps the bad boss is unaware of their behavior. If that’s the case, have a conversation (or series of conversations) with them, create a plan for improvement and give feedback. In addition, invest in leadership training to develop essential skills and unlearn bad habits.
If you need help with sales leadership training or hiring right the first time, let’s talk: info@thecommissioninternational.com.