How to spot a ‘bad boss’

Bad bosses ? throughout our careers, we?ve all had at least one. A recent Saratoga research report authored by Leigh Branham revealed that 68% of employees leave a job because of their boss.

However, some of the reasons this happens go deeper than mere personality clashes. Award-winning marketing director, entrepreneur and author Alan O?Rourke says: ?The dishonourable side of leadership where responsibility is thrown away in order to abuse the power is a very real thing.?

He has identified five ?dishonourable? traits and habits that bosses often display and should avoid if they don?t want to become the archetypal ?bad boss?:

1. ?I know it all? ? Good leaders never have all of the answers and the one that thinks so is bad for business. Before their lack of wisdom becomes everyone?s downfall, help them see that they need to figure things out and ask the right questions when the answers aren?t so clear.
2. ?I fear change? ? Change is scary and the business world is always changing. Yeah, that?s no comfort but stay with us here. Fearing change is paralyzing to your development and to facilitating the success of a team. Accept change and acknowledge that it is scary. See where you work best and get into making the most of changes happening.
3. ?I fail and never learn? ? If you?re failing as a habit, you better hope you have something you can hang your hat on. You need to find out why, when, how, and what you fail at consistently. We have something for you about bouncing back from failure.
4. ?This is all about me? ? You?re not a damn island. You?re the head, but this operation is not about just you and your career. Managers are connected to organization growth, their personal career and the livelihoods of their employees. To think your work is all about you is truly doing a dishonor to your career. Get some perspective about how this ecosystem works.
5. ?Yes, absolutely (always)? ? Yes men and women cannot prioritize; they neglect to think, are unassertive, and prefer to maintain the status quo. Leaders need to challenge and progress you and the organization. They can start by saying ?no.?

Read Alan?s blog in full at bit.ly/1UbCf34