Often times with leadership, we hear the warm and fuzzies or the great success stories. There are so many great books and tools at the disposal of leaders that growth and competency should be inevitable. The challenge with that theory is it’s rendered “not always true” because of the simple fact that leadership deals with human beings. Anytime you are dealing with people, things are never that simplistic.
In my tenure working as a Deputy Prison Warden, before being promoted to Warden, I worked for a leader that definitely should not have been in her role. She literally destroyed her staff and destroyed her team. Not only did she destroy them, she didn’t have the self-awareness to make the necessary adjustments.
Unfortunately, the “Leadership Destroyers” were not isolated to my experience; if you live long enough and work for enough people, there is a good chance that you will work for a leader that’s bent on destroying their team. To help identify how these leaders or managers destroy their teams, I have identified 5 ways.
5 Ways Leaders Destroy Their Teams
1. My Way or the Highway (MWOH)
Everyone has an opinion, and often times, people have thoughts, ideas, and suggestions that can be helpful to those that are in charge. MWOH is fueled by the insecurity of the Leadership Destroyer. MWOH can create an environment of control but not an environment of healthy success. Listen to your team, involve your team, learn from your team, and embrace the reality that the collective sum is much better than the Bigheaded MWOH Leader.
2. All About the Numbers
The numbers do matter, the bottom line is important, and if it doesn’t make dolla$, it doesn’t make sense. In business, ministry, or non-profit work, it’s important to measure things, as it’s a great barometer for success. Where numbers become a problem is when the Leadership Destroyer focuses on the numbers, bottom line, and measurables so much that they forget about their team of people who are making those numbers happen. They lose sight of the “how” because they are so focused on the “what.” Numbers matter, but people matter more. Focus on creating a healthy team, and healthy numbers will be a natural by-product,
3. Talk but Don’t Listen
No one can get a word in or have an opinion because the Leadership Destroyer is always talking. Not only are they always talking, they never listen. If people are not heard, they will cease to say the things that matter. Shh (be quiet) Listen!