12 Negative Leadership Qualities NOT Desired in Leaders

It’s one thing to focus on the positives (as we should). But as leaders, we should also be aware of certain things that will corrode our relationship and lose our hard earned respect from among those we lead. This list has been compiled to give you some areas to be aware of. Areas that you should work to minimize in your leadership style.

By avoiding, or at least minimizing, these things, you will move ahead quickly in earning the respect of your team.

1. Harsh: Some leaders, especially new leaders, want to achieve goals and see results. They are driven. They feel this is what they are supposed to do. So they begin to push (and push hard). They want the deadlines met no matter the cost. After all, they are there to get results! Yes, it is very important to achieve the desired results and meet the deadlines, but if your team members avoid you like the plague, you may want to rethink how you are coming across.
2. Short Tempered: Many leaders can easily mistake anger for projecting power and seeing the employee’s tremble in fear as a sign of respect. It may do wonders for your ego, but create a toxic work place for your team. 
3. Stern:  A leader who is always being serious, never smiling, never interacting with others except in business mindset, will demoralize a team quickly. It’s important to remember you are dealing with people – individuals, each and every one of them.
4. Controlling: Leaders who think they “know everything” actually may not know as much as they think. If you, as a leader, continually try to one up someone else’s opinion, soon, they will not share their opinions with you.
5. Ruthless: Being ruthless (throwing a fit when things do not go your way) is not a sign of a great leader. It is a sign of a spoiled brat in a management position! If you are cutting down others in order for you to justify “looking bad” or you are undercutting others to try and further you career – YOU are not a leader! This is a major taboo in leadership!
6. Vindictive: Leaders who never, ever want to be questioned – and then feel threatened when they are, may become vindictive in their retaliation. It is their attempt to “keep control,” usually by belittling or driving someone into quitting and leaving the group. They feel they are justified in this “for the good of the group.” In actuality, they are driving a deeper wedge into the team. The team members will feel they cannot ever ask a question for fear of losing their job. These types of leaders will ultimately fail – miserably.
7. Manipulative: Bad leaders have become expert at scheming and pursuing their own agenda (be it promotions or just extra money or sometimes, just for their own amusement). It is a game to them. Unfortunately, these leaders do not understand the hurt feelings and resentment that is built up in the team.
8. Tolerant of Mediocrity: These leaders care more about how people “think of them” than they do in achieving team goals and increasing performance. They do not want the team to dislike them. So they are always being “buddy-buddy” and accepting less then ultimate performance.
9. Relishing the “suck-ups:” Some leaders get carried away with those that caress their ego more than getting the job done. They will continue in subpar performance and then “kiss up” to the boss to try and make the boss look good, in order to have that performance accepted.
10. Being “Suck-Ups” themselves:  We’ve seen them. People who are always sucking up to their boss. Bad leaders can (and will) do the same thing. They are trying to protect their jobs and trying to look good to their superiors just like the “suck-ups” do to them.
11. Micromanaging:  The micromanager is always looking over the shoulder of those they lead. They second guess every decision. Highly controlling, they demand every piece of information be passed before them f