So you lead. But how do you know you’re leading effectively…and that you’re not, well, just a jerk?
You’re in charge…at least you’re in charge of something or hope to be one day.
I mean we’ve all been around leaders who are extremely difficult to be around.
Think about how badly leaders are often viewed.
Over the years, boss has even become a bad word. If you’re a pushy kid, you get labeled as bossy and people stay away. Hollywood simply needs to put the word “horrible” in front of the word “bosses” in a movie title and everyone smiles because they can relate. Who hasn’t had a horrible boss?
And yet, sometimes there’s a fine line between being an effective leader and being a jerk. The strength required to be a leader can sometimes push you up against the hard edges of your personality.
When you reach that point, you fail. You not only destroy others, you ultimately destroy yourself.
Here are 10 signs you’re actually just a jerk, not a leader.
1. You’re just a jerk if you’ve made the organization all about you.
Hey, there’s no doubt your leadership gift probably brings something to the organization or church in which you serve—maybe even a lot.
Leaders, after all, make things happen.
If you want to be a jerk, make the organization about you.
Make sure you’re front and center all the time. Think about how grateful people should be to have you.
Be incredulous at why more people don’t thank you for your leadership. Imagine that you should be paid more.
Just think of yourself as undervalued and indispensable. Jerks, after all, think it’s all about them.
2. You’re just a jerk if you think that people work for you.
If you’re a jerk and not a true leader, you’ll believe people work for you.
Contrast that with what the best bosses do. The best bosses think of themselves as working for the people around them.
They prefer to serve rather than be served.
If you keep thinking people work for you, few people will want to work for you.
3. You’re just a jerk if you never say thank you.
Jerk leaders rarely say thank you. After all, why would you say thank you when people are just doing their jobs?
Jerk leaders rarely take the time to tap someone on the shoulder and tell them they noticed the difference that team member made today.
And why thank the employee who worked late to get the project done? After all, shouldn’t they just be grateful to get a paycheck?
Great bosses often take the time to hand-write a thank you note.
They high-five people.
They look team members in the eye and tell them how much they appreciate them.
They put their arm around people and say thanks.
Great leaders realize nobody has to work for them. Which is why people do.
4. You’re just a jerk if you’re demanding.
One sure way to be a jerk is to demand things of people.
It’s one thing to have high standards (great leaders have high standards), but to remain a jerk, make sure you always communicate those standards in a way that demeans people.
Always focus on what you want from people. Never think about what you want for people.
