My dislike for poor leadership
As a leadership coach, I work daily with individuals and organizations who aim to grow, improve, and become the best versions of themselves. Along this journey, I often encounter people struggling under ineffective or “bad” leadership. My mission is clear: to help leaders grow in a way that positively impacts both their teams and organizations. And one of the strongest motivators behind this mission is a dislike—if I’m honest, a bit of a disdain—for bad leadership.
But let’s clarify what “bad” leadership actually looks like. It’s not about lacking charisma or being an introvert. It’s about leaders who consistently fail to inspire, empower, or respect their teams.
One of the most frustrating aspects of poor leadership is how it limits the potential of those they lead. When leaders fail to create a growth-oriented environment, it affects everyone beneath them. Whether it's through micromanagement, lack of trust, or failure to provide clear direction, ineffective leadership holds people back from what they could achieve. Bad leaders see subordinates as “resources” rather than individuals with unique abilities and ambitions, often resulting in demoralized teams and stagnant careers.
Leaders have a major influence on team morale and culture. Negative, inconsistent, or selfish leadership styles can foster a toxic work environment where collaboration and communication break down. Poor leaders often fail to provide genuine support, acknowledgment, or constructive feedback, leading to frustration, disengagement, and burnout. In my coaching experience, morale improves dramatically when leaders are transparent, supportive, and willing to invest in their team’s growth.
Communication is the lifeblood of effective leadership. Unfortunately, bad leaders are often poor communicators. They may be unclear, inconsistent, or neglect to communicate at all. This can leave team members feeling unsure of what’s expected, hesitant to ask questions, and unclear about how their work contributes to the overall mission. When people aren’t given a clear path forward, it creates confusion and hampers productivity. A good leader, on the other hand, shares their vision, outlines expectations, and encourages dialogue.
Nothing kills motivation faster than a leader who doesn’t inspire. In some cases, this might look like setting unrealistic goals without supporting the team, ignoring the hard work that goes into a project, or even taking credit for others' ideas. Instead of motivating team members to excel, these behaviors cause them to disengage, eroding initiative and creativity. For a team to thrive, its leader must be willing to recognize and reward contributions, encourage innovative ideas, and genuinely celebrate successes.
Finally, bad leadership isn’t just a “soft” problem. It impacts the bottom line. Ineffective leaders create inefficient processes, lead teams into unnecessary conflicts, and increase turnover rates, all of which drain a company’s resources. They may also lose clients, alienate partners, or compromise the brand's reputation. On the contrary, good leadership is an investment that pays off in countless ways: stronger team performance, increased loyalty, and a more adaptable, future-ready organization.
At Vanguard Leadership Solutions, I’m committed to transforming ineffective leaders into impactful ones. My approach is rooted in empathy, strategic growth, and personal accountability. I believe that effective leadership is a skill that can be developed, refined, and mastered, and that anyone who is willing can become the kind of leader others want to follow. Leaders who bring out the best in their people are invaluable, not just to their organizations but to every individual they impact.
In the end, my dislike for bad leadership comes from a place of passion for seeing people succeed. When leaders fall short, they don’t just affect bottom lines; they affect lives. That’s why my goal is to equip leaders with the skills and mindsets they need to lead with purpose, integrity, and a commitment to the growth of everyone around them.