We’re breaking down the top 10 signs you’re dealing with a bad leader. If you see some of these in yourself, it’s time to do some soul searching and make some changes.

We’ve all had bosses that made us wonder how they got the job? It’s the kind you know. The only thing they do is add more work to your plate, constantly throw you under the bus to hide their incompetence, and keep forgetting every little thing that you said in the meetings that they want you to have. There’s nothing fun about it, and it can make you want to leave your company. In a 2023 Flex job survey of over 8,400 professionals, about 43% look for a new job because of a bad boss.

If you have dealt with someone who has one more of these bad traits, let me know.

Lack of Vision

Having a profound lack of vision is a dead giveaway you’re dealing with a leadership black hole. That’s not to say you need stronger reading glasses, although that could be a problem too. What I’m talking about is the inability to articulate a clear direction. They’re so busy putting out yesterday’s dumpster fires that they can’t even envision tomorrow. Leaders confuse micromanagement with leadership, obsessing over spreadsheets instead of inspiring employees.

Micromanagement is the worst, especially when it comes from someone you don’t like. There’s always a task they want you to do, but they can’t get their job done properly, so it just makes your life harder. It’s like assembling Ikea furniture blindfolded when you work for a boss who doesn’t have a vision. The process is frustrating, confusing, and you’ll probably end up with extra screws. Take a step back if you see yourself doing that and tell yourself it isn’t worth it.

Feeling like you have to micromanage people and be reactive is stressful. Communication is everything. Your expectations should be shared with your team, and they should either meet them or not. I promise you that most people will.

Communication Barriers

Then we have the communication black hole. The bosses treat information like it’s a state secret. Grunts, vague emails at 3 a.m., and interpretive dance are their main means of communication. Good luck with that last one. They’re always broadcasting, never listening. If you ask them for clarification, you’re talking to a brick wall. Share your ideas and don’t even bother. You’ll get resentment either way.

You also have to worry about them misinterpreting everything you say and then telling everyone what they think you said. You shouldn’t do this. Get a class, read an article, watch a YouTube video, but learn to listen. One of the best techniques I learned from my old company’s management training was repeating what you hear back to them. If you were wrong, let them clarify so you’re both on the same page. Retaining what you’ve been told is another thing. Even when you’ve told them multiple times, it’s frustrating when they act like you didn’t say it. Whenever you see yourself having this issue, write it down. Taking notes is sometimes a good idea.

Using Fear

Leaders should inspire, not make you feel existentially dread. In the case of bad leaders, they wouldn’t recognize a spark of brilliance even if it hit them, which is possible considering how little motivation they inspire. These bosses think criticism is the same as constructive feedback and mistake fear for respect. It’s like they suck the joy out of every project, leaving disillusioned employees and missed opportunities behind. Working for them is like going to a wet mop’s motivational seminar every day. It’s important to have your team respect you and listen to you, but it’s also important to show them that you respect them and are there to help. Your employee turnover will be high if you think being the critical leader will wake you up after a while.

Not Making Decisions

A boss who can’t make a decision is like a spinning cursor. They keep you waiting and waiting. Fear stops them from making a choice, so they don’t make any. The best leaders procrastinate, delegate responsibility rather than actual tasks, and let’s-revisit-this-later. Trying to sail for them is like trying to steer a ship without a rudder. There’s no hurry. In my previous job, this would happen. As a result, they would spend more time trying to get someone else to make the decision so if things went south, they could claim it wasn’t their fault. If that happened, what do you think would happen? Because no decisions were being made, projects got delayed. Regardless of whether it’s 100% correct, make the decision. It’s never too late to pivot. Most decisions you make can be pivoted.

Not Knowing How to Delegate

A good leader knows how to delegate. A bad leader clings to tasks like a cat to a scratching post. They’re convinced they’re the only ones who can do anything right, even if that means stapling reports at 2 in the morning in their bathrobes. Micromanaging kills creativity and initiative in their team. Trying to grow a plant for them is like trying to grow a plant in the dark. It won’t work. It happens a lot in government. Their goal is to prove they’re needed, so they don’t want anyone taking over. I’m not going to lie, I did this when I was a project manager. Somebody was going too slow for me. I’d take over. Let go and learn how to be a mentor instead of someone who does everything for you and your team. It’s a disservice to your team.

No Empathy

Empathy, understanding and sharing the feelings of others, is one of the most basic human qualities, yet bad leaders seem to have skipped it in kindergarten. They’re completely oblivious to the needs and concerns of their team, treating them like cogs instead of humans. The odds of getting a compassionate response from them are about the same as teaching a goldfish to play the piano. I got reprimanded once because I let HR know six months in advance that I would be out because of a baby, but I got a nasty gram in a conference asking if I was up to the job. One of the worst days of my career. Put yourself in someone else’s shoes. Ever heard of it? Let’s be honest, we’re just humans who should care and support one another at the end of the day.

Can’t Take Criticism

Feedback? I don’t think so. Bad leaders view any form of criticism, no matter how constructive, as a personal attack. They react to feedback with the grace and maturity of a toddler denied a cookie. They’re masters of deflection, blame-shifting, and excuse-making. Trying to have a rational conversation with them about areas for improvement is like trying to reason with a rabid honey badger. It’s likely to end badly for you.

No Impulse Control

Bad leaders make decisions with all the care of a squirrel on six espressos. Impulsive, reckless, and prone to changing their minds more often than socks. Making snap judgments gives them an adrenaline rush, consequences be damned. It’s like riding a roller coaster designed by a 5-year-old. Exhilarating, terrifying, and probably going to make you puke.

Lack of Morals

A bad leader’s ethics are nothing more than suggestions, like ice cream serving sizes. Theory is cute, but practice isn’t. They’re shady, play favorites, and cut corners like they’re training for the ethical Olympics. Working for them is like signing a contract with the devil. In the short run, you might win, but you’ll lose your soul. The IT world doesn’t see it as much, but it does happen. Other industries are probably more likely to feel like they’re selling their souls. Did you hear about the ServiceNow executive who may go to jail? Yeah, it can happen anywhere. Maybe you don’t care, but a lot of us do. You’ve heard me say it before, but no job is worth it.

Permanently on Vacation

Last but not least, we have the checked-out boss. While they’re physically there, their minds are somewhere else, sipping margaritas and forgetting your name. When 5:00 p.m. rolls around, they’re the first ones out the door, leaving their team to clean up. In the workplace, their apathy and disengagement spread like wildfire. Working for them is like trying to win a game with a coach who supports the other team. Think about changing careers or putting your resume out there if you don’t give a damn. You are a leader. People depend on you, so you can’t be completely checked out.

And there you have it folks, the top 10 signs of a bad leader. If you recognize any of these traits in your boss, it might be time to start updating that resume or, you know, invest in some noise-canceling headphones and a really good stress ball. Working for a terrible boss can be soul-crushing, but hopefully, this video has given you the tools to identify the warning signs and take action. Remember, life is too short to spend it working for someone who mistakes incompetence for leadership. And if you are