A good leadership style is something every effective leader must have to be successful, but it can be difficult to understand what it does or does not entail. Most leadership research focuses on exemplarity, best practices, and the positive attributes of effective and successful leaders. This article talks about a new approach to learning leadership using the lessons of bad leadership. These are the lessons to be learned in examining leaders who have not effectively exercised their power, authority or influence.
What is bad leadership?
Although the word “leadership” itself is always associated with positive organizational change and success, the eternal truth is that there are more ineffective leaders than leaders who have been good and effective. Bad leadership is a provocative departure from conventional thinking and forces us to see the dark side of leadership. What does it really mean to be a bad leader? What are specific examples of bad leadership styles? How do we carefully examine and understand bad leadership? According to this approach which was described in the book Bad Leadership: What it is, how it happenings, Why it Matters by Barbara Kellerman (2004), she argues that all leaders must be studied, whether they have used their power and their authority for good or if they were “power holders” who served their own purpose and greed. “Bad” can refer to an ineffective person or someone who has failed to produce the desired change, or unethical, or both.
Seven Types of Bad Leadership:
Kellerman in his book explores seven major types of bad leadership and dissects why and how leaders cross the line from good to bad. Bad Leadership makes it clear that we must confront the dark side in order to become better leaders and followers ourselves. Below are seven types of bad leadership:
1. Incompetent: when the leader does not have the skills or the will to be effective
2. Rigid: when the leader is unwilling to adapt or change
3. Intemperate: where the leader lacks self-control
4. Insensitive: when the leader is indifferent or mean
5. Corrupt: where the leader lies, steals or cheats
6. Insular: where the leader disregards the welfare of those outside the group
7. Evil: where the leader commits atrocities or uses pain as an instrument of power
Books to read/References:
Bad Leadership: What It Is, How It Happens, Why It Matters by Barbara Kellerman (2004)
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