It goes without saying that there are some people in management positions who should not be there at all. Either they are not qualified to be in that position, or they are simply not cut out for being in a position of authority. Not all managers are good, and not all managers are leaders! What is the difference between a manager vs. a leader, and what constitutes a “lame” leader?
Let’s find out . . .
Lame leaders do not lead by example. Setting a standard by doing (practicing what they preach) is a concept that is essentially foreign to them. Rather, their mantra is “Do as I say, not as I do.” True leaders set the example by modeling the behavior they want others to emulate, because they know it comes from the top down.
Lame leaders do not like to be challenged; they always think they are right, and are not open-minded enough to consider another perspective. Some (not all) managers do not like to take chances, or get out of their comfort zones. If they are in a management position by default, and not by choice (or because they are qualified), then they may not possess the vision, clarity, or innovativeness for where their product or company should be headed in the future. Many avoid conflict or other unpleasant situations that make them uncomfortable. They may even take extreme steps for avoidance, including not returning phone calls or emails, being unresponsive, or blaming someone else.
Lame leaders are not professional. What are some examples of not exhibiting professional behaviors? Lame leaders do not say “Thank you” or otherwise acknowledge other people’s efforts (whether they have done a good job, or even at all). They may play favorites, thereby letting some employees get away with certain behaviors but not others, and not applying a uniform standard equally to all employees. They may talk about employees behind their back, or talk about certain employees to other employees. In addition, they may tell you one thing to your face but do or say something else entirely behind your back.
So what are some qualities of good leaders?
True leaders welcome and take advantage of other people’s strengths and use those strengths to their advantage. They know that having smart, creative people on their team will help make them shine along with their whole organization! In contrast, lame leaders are threatened by other people’s strengths. When an employee starts to shine, they immediately put those employees “in their place”! Lame leaders will do everything they can to stay in charge and make sure other people know it. Because they are insecure in themselves, they don’t want anybody else to outshine them.
Real leaders welcome high achievers to their teams because they are secure in their own right. Real leaders embrace what others bring to the table, in terms of knowledge and skills; not only that, they embrace and publicly acknowledge other people’s contributions to an organization. Real leaders are not threatened by, or jealous of, other people’s accomplishments.
What else? Real leaders develop or mentor other people so they can grow and reach their potential, (instead of try to squash them under their thumbs). Real leaders are visionaries. They share their vision with others and form alliances in order to accomplish a goal. Real leaders recognize when something is not working, and are not afraid to change course.
Now I ask you – how about you?
What makes a leader?
Do you have any examples or stories of lame leaders? How about real leaders who inspired you?
Perfect timing Karen. Your posts regularly hit upon something I’m experiencing at that moment.
This particular post hits home due to a Facebook group I joined recently. It’s filled with people who talk a good game. You’d think they were real heavy hitters to listen to them speak. But, a comment I read there just abotu an hour ago made me think, “How can these people stay in business?” I actually read a statement where soemone spoke about building relationships in MLM as a waste of time. Supposedly he has been in the industry for a couple decades and built huge organizations. Talk about a “LAME LEADER”!
Thank you Bill! I really enjoy and appreciate your perspective and feedback. You’re so right about “Walking the Talk” vs. just talking.
The trick is to learn how to manage a lame leader…
And, wonder why a corporation would allow such a person to rise/stay in position in the first place!
Love the post.
“Why would a Corporation allow such a person to rise/stay in that position in the first place?” To answer your question Roy, I have often wondered this. Sometimes it’s a person who started the company and is the owner/manager, but in other cases “lame leaders” tend to drive the very employees they are supposed to managing to leave (I know because that is a large part of my client base!). Thank you for your insight.
Roy, I’ve noticed that people tend to get promoted to their level of incompetence. Once there, then the decision is what to do with them, and sadly, the answer is usually, “Nothing”.
Great post Karen and also great comments. As they say people usually rise to their level of incompetence. So after that snide remark the fact remains that like getting married there is no real handbook of “How to” on either subject. Sure there are classes on managing but unless you are compassionate, understanding and loving (not in that sense) you cannot manage another, including yourself. Many people rise into a position of management because they helped a company succeed in some way, yet have no business managing anything or anyone. I have experienced this in myself and in others. Some of us get it at some point and others never get it. So what to do? We all have choices and those are to speak up and have a conversation, go above their head and try and get it corrected or leave; or leave books on managing on their desk. Perhaps lighting a candle, prayer or having an exorcism.
I guess I should have read your comment before replying to Roy’s. Too funny.
Hi Karen
Unfortunately, the world is riddled with lame leaders. I have encountered them in every workplace and industry I have been in.
It is particularly bad in government departments and non profit organisations. It always amuses me. We have a saying here is Australia,’The s*#t always rises to the top,’ and it seems to be true.
I find it very strange that we tolerate a system in which someone with no qualifications or history of management can be elected to run a country, or a person who left school at 15 years of age can be given the job of Education Minister. That does not make sense to me when ordinary employees are now being asked to produce a certificate of hospitality to be a waitress or a certificate of retail to work in a store.
I have always thought the world a strange place.
Madonna
We have to avoid micromanaging our downline or else it will crumble. There is an old saying that people do what you do not what you say. If you go out and talk to ten people a day then they will talk to ten people a day.
Lawrence Bergfeld
Mmm…what makes me a leader?
I would say that I am a leader in my own life, rather than leading others. I know that things aren’t going to be given to me, and I have to work to get anywhere, even if it’s just doing the dishes. I suppose that could make me a leader in some ways.
Great topic! Unfortunately, I have found lame leaders in my own profession of one-on-one coaching. What stands out to me as making someone “lame” in my own profession is someone who doesn’t “walk the walk.” This happens all the time online. People trying to teach how to make money online but they haven’t actually made any!! How lame is THAT? Or people saying they are biz coaches but they don’t have the numbers in their OWN biz to back it up. It’s an interesting world . . .
Interesting point Martha. When exactly is it appropriate to call yourself a business coach? When you have 5 clients or 50? The number of clients you have doesn’t necessarily make you a business coach. What makes you a business coach is your background, experience, expertise, training, and professionalism.
I don’t think I said anything about the number of clients but of course, if you have one client, you are in business! The “lame” part stems from people putting themselves out there who haven’t actually “walked the walk.” That only comes from experience. For example, I have a law degree but I can’t teach you how to be a lawyer because I don’t have a law practice myself. However, I CAN teach you how to make money online because I do that every single day. Make sense? If you’ll look at my comment, I never made reference to number of clients. In my own case, I have all the requirements you list, so I guess it’s OK to call myself a coach! LOL Have a great day Karen and good luck with your own coaching program! All the best to you 🙂
Curious. If your comment about numbers wasn’t about the number of clients, then what was it about? If it was about how much money you’re making, that doesn’t mean anything in terms of social proof. People can be very good at what they do, but that doesn’t mean they are necessarily making a million dollars. It also doesn’t mean they aren’t successful, as there are many definitions of success.
So how do you get the experience you speak of if you are not trying? What about someone who has all of the credentials but they’re just not where they want to be yet in their business? Success doesn’t happen overnight; you can’t get the experience you speak of without moving out of your comfort zone and trying something new. So there is a lag time in there. It’s like the old U.S. Army commercials (if you remember those!) where they ask “How do you get experience without a job, and how do you get a job without experience?” The answer was that the Army gives you the experience, and I see it the same way here – you make your own way, and you gain experience by trying.