The Damage A Bad Leader Does

It’s vitally important to acknowledge the power leaders have in their words and behavior.  Any leader that does not understand this does damage to their self, those they lead, and the innocent. Instead of understanding themselves and learning from experience they tend to justify their positions and beliefs and blame followers, events and others for their problems. This leader constantly defends their words and behavior.

This is foundational with most bad leaders and why they resist change. In fact, they want things to be what they have in mind and use their power to satisfy their expectations. The idea that they serve is foreign to them. They do not serve, but demand being served. This leader expects certain attitudes and behavior from their followers and compliance is victory to them. Is this a negative example of the power of the “Kitchen Table” and the lessons early learned?  People are not born this way.

The leader’s combination of words and behavior presents those close to the leader the true picture of the leader.  Experience the leader often enough and they become the “king without clothes.” Close followers know the difference between what is acting and what is real. Bad leaders “act” often and this might be their chosen way, but when they lose their cool they are real.

I believe that the differences between bad and good leaders are worlds apart. The good leader IS and NURTURES growth, individual responsibility, and the qualities I so often write about. They thoroughly believe in genuine dialogue and relationships. Their words are not manipulative; they are who and what we meet.

The bad leader does not care for the well being of others, but for their own needs. They require pawns to meet their needs and the willing pawns know this. Those that are pawns do so because they draw power from the one they serve. It is false, but to the pawns it is a power of sorts.

This is all about “learned behavior” whether a person seeks power for the sake of power and self, or to use power to empower others.    Sy

Author: Sy Ogulnick

Sy Ogulnick received a BA from UCLA, Teacher’s Credential from Los Angeles Board of Education and completed phase I (Master’s portion) in a Doctor of Behavioral Science program at California Coast University. Sy leased and operated a summer day camp in LA. He and his wife then purchased virgin wilderness land in Northern CA, where they built and operated a coed summer camp. They moved to Las Vegas, NV, and purchased, built and operated a community children’s program for families staying in a major resort casino in Las Vegas. They have created programs for children nationwide that employed many people and in the process developed successful training programs for personnel. This led Sy to lecture on how to train staff and the creating of community within the workplace. Sy was then invited to speak at professional conferences on how best to hire and train employees, which led to his becoming a consultant in the art of improving relationships in a work environment and eventually to his epiphany that “Leaders are the primary problem and the answer to the personnel issues that arise in the workplace.” Sy has written numerous papers on the subject of interpersonal relationships, leadership and power. He has lectured throughout the United States, has been interviewed by the media and has appeared on many radio and TV talk shows

One thought on “The Damage A Bad Leader Does”

  1. Well said Sy. I wish I wish I had read your book on leadership, or known you while I was in a position of leadership. I know I could have done a better job. Thanks for all your wisdome over the years.
    Ann and I will recieve our firs Covid 19 vaccination this afternoon, hope you and Linette are having the same good fortune. Best regards, Steve.

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