Karl Bimshas Consulting

MANAGE BETTER LEAD WELL

  • Welcome
    • About Us
    • Karl Bimshas
      • Leadership Point of View
      • Bio
    • FAQs
    • Why Value-Based Fixed Fees
    • Statement of Privacy
  • Leadership Development
    • Do I Need an Accountability Partner?
      • Kick-Ass Boss
    • Leadership Scorecard
    • Leadership Assessments
      • Core Competencies Index
      • DISC
      • DISC Lite
  • Optimize Your Leadership
  • Books
    • Bimshas Books
      • How to Stay When You Want to Quit
      • Welcome to Leadership
      • Give A Damn
      • Disposable Journal
      • Pushing Back the Ocean
      • 132 Leadership Tips
    • Leadership Workbooks
      • Perspectives
      • Lead on Purpose
      • Sales Management Monthly Briefing
      • Mind Map Workbook
    • The Manage Better Lead Well Series
  • Testimonials
    • Interviews
  • Contact
    • Friends Don’t Let Friends Become Lousy Leaders
    • Payment Page
  • Sign up!
    • Newsletter
    • Update Your Information
    • Links
      • More Links
        • Your 90-Day Review
        • Monthly Offer
    • Surveys
      • Do My Employees Need Coaching?
    • Invitation
      • INFO AND INVITATION
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Podcast
      • Past Episodes
        • Leadership In Unusual Times
          • Podcast Questions
    • Lyderis
      • DISC Bonus
      • Leadership Library
        • Invitation to The Leadership Library
    • Mini-Courses
      • Explain That Behavior
      • Lead On Purpose Course
    • Ways to Praise
    • Leadership Development Box
    • Leadership Goal-Setting
    • The Solution Exchange
    • Compass
    • Be The Kind of Leader Who Gives a CRAP

What Makes a Lousy Leader?

April 2, 2015 Karl Bimshas

What Makes a Lousy LeaderWhat makes a lousy leader? That is easy, they do the opposite of what great leaders do. Not so fast. Our biases forget the differences between leadership we agree with, and leadership from people we do not like.

The differences rest partly in our individual perspectives. It takes a certain maturity to recognize when effective leadership occurs in opposition to our wants and needs. For the enlightened, it causes frustration, of course, but also garners respect. We have an abundance of frustration with leaders in our life and an absence of respect. We forget leadership is not static, it runs along a continuum from lousy to outstanding. Also, there is a variance between leadership tasks that may or may not be affected by time, individual experience, risk tolerance, introversion/extroversion and a host of other conditions. To me, the effective leader is the one that, given multiple variables, attributes and situations, still achieves positive results more often than not.

There are many opinions on the crucial characteristics of an effective leader, and an equal number to identify a weak leader. We could use a system that helps identify the lousy leaders from the outstanding ones. If you watch cable news, your choice of channel is liable to inform your choice in an acceptable leader. We should be more selective in choosing which leaders to follow. You would think anyone with good judgement could tell in an instant, but I believe having criteria to evaluate leaders with greater discernment would help.

Sometimes, in the heat of battle we do not have the luxury of choosing our leaders. Otherwise (read, most of the time) we should choose with deliberation. I have a list of thirty-one observable attributes and behaviors that could be used in a binary yes/no checklist, or on a rating scale. It is also an excellent list for action planning if you want to work on your personal leadership. Take on one attribute each day and after a month you cannot help but be a better leader, at least temporarily. Add five or six to your daily repertoire and those changes solidify over time.

Try it out. Pick a leader, yourself if you want, and rate their observable actions. If you do not know or aren’t sure, be fair when you infer what you can. Then tally the results and see if the leaders meet your initial expectation.

  1. Is this leader approachable and kind to others?
  2. Does this leader make decisions?
  3. Does this leader take initiative?
  4. Does this leader communicate expectations?
  5. Does this leader inspire creativity?
  6. Is this leader accountable for their actions?
  7. Does this leader set their own example?
  8. Does this leader measure performance?
  9. Does this leader reward the efforts of others?
  10. Does this leader give continuous feedback?
  11. Does this leader position team members where they can win?
  12. Is this leader deeply curious?
  13. Does this leader problem solve?
  14. Does this leader possess a positive attitude?
  15. Does this leader value relationships?
  16. Does this leader have a record of success?
  17. Does this leader frequently communicate?
  18. Does this leader demonstrate empathy?
  19. Is this leader flexible as conditions change?
  20. Does this leader embrace and manage change?
  21. Does this leader value customers and end users?
  22. Does this leader teach others?
  23. Does this leader enjoy their role?
  24. Does this leader share a vision?
  25. Does this leader behave ethically?
  26. Is this leader honest?
  27. Does this leader give credit and take the blame?
  28. Is this leader focused on a goal?
  29. Does this leader create and or nurture a culture?
  30. Does this leader possess courage?
  31. Does this leader serve those they lead?

Take the number of yes responses and divide by 31. If 0% is lousy and 100% is outstanding, plot the leader within the continuum and see if it matches your perceived impression. Any surprises? Are there any behaviors and attributes you would add or replace?

—-

Karl Bimshas is a leadership consultant who collaborates with busy executives to improve the working relationships with their colleagues and direct reports to create high performing teams. He’s the author of “How to Stay When You Want to Quit;Strategies to get over yourself“.

If you liked this, share it!
  • Linkedin
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Reddit
  • Whatsapp
  • Email
  • Print

Leadership Assessment, Questions, Reflection

Search Here

Visit Leadershirts Plus

Key Links

  • Do I Need an Accountability Partner?
  • Do My Employees Need Coaching?
  • Leadership Point of View
  • Kick-Ass Boss
  • Bimshas Books
  • Blog
  • DISC
  • Resources
  • Why Value-Based Fixed Fees
  • User’s Guide
Reflections on Leadership Podcast

RSS The Podcast

  • 372. The 4 Musts
  • 371. What’s Worse, Executive or AI Hallucinations?
  • 370. Do You WANT Leadership Development?
  • 369. Why Leadership? Why You?
  • 368. Building a Successful Team
  • 367. Leadership Beyond Popularity
  • 366. Leadership Principles

Latest Books on Amazon

Popular Products

  • Disposable Journal
  • Give A Damn
  • Perspectives
  • Leadership Scorecard

Recent Posts

  • Be a Reflective Leader
  • 247
  • Is This Leader Any Good?
  • Boosting Performance with Confidence and Support
  • Leadership That Burns Bright or Burns Out

© 2023 Karl Bimshas Consulting

Contact

Karl Bimshas Consulting
2150 Comstock Street #710192
San Diego, CA 92111
1-619-717-6204
info@KarlBimshasConsulting.com

Where to Start

  • 1. Browse the Resources Page
  • 2. Assess Your Leadership Attributes
  • 3. Do You Need an Accountability Partner?
  • 4. Act on Purpose – Leadership Goal-Setting

Copyright © 2023 · Equilibre on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in