10 Tactics of Obnoxious Leaders

Obnoxious leaders are often decisive and articulate. Certainty crowds out curiosity. Answers come fast. People feel rolled over.

Incompetent leaders believe progress depends on them. Their presence feels heavy.

Self-deceived leaders don’t notice others pulling back. They interpret quiet as confirmation of their brilliance.

Obnoxious leaders conclude the problem is the people.

10 Tactics Of Obnoxious Leaders

Focus on the short-game. Judge projects and people only by recent performance. “You’re only as good as your last success.”
Minimize your responsibility to them. Maximize their responsibility to you.
Outshine everyone on your team. View people as competitors, not collaborators.
Begin with what’s wrong. Point out what won’t work. Spend energy preventing things.
View everything through the best lens, yours.
Don’t ask for input or feedback.
Withhold gratitude.
Tell people how to do their jobs.
Act like you’re the center of the universe.
Feel entitled. Make others earn respect, but believe you’re entitled to it.

(Use these for yourself or as conversation starters.)

#1. When results disappoint, where does your attention go first? Others or yourself?

Follow-up: What do people experience from you when you respond to disappointment?

#2. How quickly do people experience trust from you? Before proof, after proof, or after repeated success?

Follow-up: How does your trust-giving affect initiative?

#3. After a challenging interaction with you, what do people feel? Clarity, pressure, or possibility?

Follow-up: Which response do you intend? Which one actually happens?

The future is built on inspiration, not frustration.

Leadership is inspiring people to do things they love in ways that advance organizations.

What subtle qualities reflect obnoxious leadership?

Here’s the story of a leader who didn’t see their own obnoxiousness. Read The Vagrant: The Inner Journey of Leadership.

Category : Leadership Development