The question is simple: does your boss lack strong leadership skills? And while the question is simple, the answer is actually quite complex and in most cases inappropriate to be discussed aloud. Still, that does not mean that it should not be considered. In fact, it seems like the opposite is true. Annie McKee discusses the implications in her article published in the Huffingtonpost.com.
Does Your Boss Lack Strong Leadership Skills?
“I can’t stand my boss.”
It’s a sad situation, really, when statements like these are at the center of so many conversations at work. But it’s true: bosses are disliked, despised, disrespected and detested. More people leave jobs because of their bosses than because of pay issues, working conditions or the job itself. In fact, in a Gallup survey, fully one half of all workers would fire their boss if given the opportunity. So, if we want to improve our workplaces and work lives, we better start by looking at why so many leaders are falling short on such a grand scale…In the end, organizations create their own monsters.
1. The first thing you need to do is check to see if you are one of them.
If you have become the person everyone loves to hate, it’s time for a change. It won’t necessarily be easy, but if you want to get back to the person you really are, you’ll need to take a hard look at what got you to this place. You’ll likely need to make some pretty major changes to your lifestyle so you can deal with the stress that is inherent in your job. You may need to put yourself in a learning mode — get a coach, find a good leadership program, develop daily routines that support you to be at your best more often, maybe even get a therapist. Yes, it might require even that. At the least, you’re sure to need to focus on personal growth. Professional development simply doesn’t happen without it.2. If you’re not the problem — still a good leader, still creating a resonant environment for your team — you need to find ways to protect yourself from the dissonance around you. You can start by making sure your psychological defenses are strong and in place.
3. You can also take some solace in looking down and around you. Make sure that you’re not “kicking the dog.” Instead of passing on the bad behavior, do just the opposite. Get yourself to the point where you can share positive emotions, not negative. Create an environment that is full of promise and excitement, not doom and gloom. Engage your natural optimism and focus on hope. Focus on empathy and compassion so you can direct your activities toward supporting others. Hope and compassion are two ways to literally shift your brain into a mode that helps you deal with stress — while you are also protecting and inspiring others.
4. Finally, you can stop the madness by promoting the right people. Don’t focus so much on results, focus on how people get results. No matter how unpleasant it is, you really do need to learn to give people honest feedback about their leadership skills. Complete Story Here.
Does your boss lack leadership skills is such an important question we must all ask ourselves as it directly impacts your successful development and promotion within a company, not to mention their influence on the type of leader you will become. My personal experience with this issue has taught me if your boss is noticeably lacking leadership skills….you better run!
