[December 27, 2018] Being a leader means remembering that you are there for a reason and the reason is not about having everything your way. A number of my readers asked that I compile a list of fake traits that leaders hold. Below is a list of 22 of these fake traits; each being commonly encountered in poor leaders.
- Controlling: there is a greater interest in forcing people to do what you desire.
- Deceptiveness: in attitude, speech, or behavior.
- Blaming others or circumstances: for any failure of mission or your failure.
- Not developing other leaders: either due to personal limitations or fear of rivals.
- Giving excuses: when things go wrong or not going according to plan.
- Overcommit and under deliver
- The desire to be popular: no matter what, being liked and popular is the main desire.
- Disparages others: boasting about how great you are.
- Takes credit: a true leader acknowledges all involved.
- Breaks promises: once made, a true leader will do whatever it takes to do as promised.
- Disrespecting others: practices incivility, rudeness, and insolence.
- Wastes time
- Pursues personal vendettas: keeps score and get back at others.
- Use acronyms attached to your name: to show your importance; a braggart.
- Not knowing what it means to listen or obey
- Being too busy for others
- Cheating: real leaders never cheat to get ahead or to obtain an advantage.
- Never get their hands dirty: there is more interest in having others do the dirty work.
- Panic: when things go bad, poor leaders panic.
- Reject the idea of selfless service
- It’s always about quid pro quo: they owe me if I do something for them.
- Fails to set expectations
This story is really about ways to spot poor leadership. When you see any on this list, even you may have done it yourself, so be sure to recognize them for what they are about.
These fake traits of a leader are not complete but I believe the list is comprehensive. I would venture to bet that all of us have experienced most, if not all, of these fake traits in leaders. At some point in our lives, we will always find a leader who fails to live up to their responsibilities.
Love the list. Thanks, Gen. Satterfield.
Authentic leaders have the courage to speak their minds, even when their views are unpopular. That is why your list of 22 fake leaders traits comes in handy. I personally will want to do what I can to avoid them. I see that I have been guilty of a few in the past. We should all be working toward improvement of our traits.
I agree.
Appreciate the list of 22. Nicely done and well laid out.
Hi, I like your list. Thanks and cheers!
My dad says hello.
Hello Joey, I hope your break from school there in Australia is enjoyable.
🙂
On a similar note, I believe we should also be reading professional articles on leadership that provide a little more in depth coverage. One magazine I read is ‘The Leadership Quarterly.” It’s a paid magazine but I think the link below will work. If not,just google the mag’s name. Thanks all.
https://ac.els-cdn.com/S1048984317308123/1-s2.0-S1048984317308123-main.pdf?_tid=4b284f8c-cf30-42ef-906a-4332f87b2491&acdnat=1545916833_b5a6c57a4a9ad6722351623faade4b81
Greg, your linked worked and looks like a great article.
Thanks Greg for letting me know about the Leadership Quarterly. This is why I read the comments from readers.
🙂 Thanks.
Becoming a leader requires a careful combination of confidence and humility. Remaining a leader and growing leadership capabilities require persistence and integrity. An essential characteristic of leadership is trust. Leaders live and work in ways that let them gain the trust of their people. They also trust their people; trust goes two ways. Ultimately, you cannot fake trust, you have to earn it, and you earn it by being genuine and real.
True! Leadership is all about trust. If you have fake traits, you will not be trusted and therefore a failed leader.
Nice list. I’ll be using it to illustrate leaders from the past in the High School history class I teach.
Michael Hopkin said, “The work fake has various connotations and degrees. In one sense it means not real or untrue. It can be as harmless as an actor who shows contrived emotions or as damaging as a criminal who uses deception to defraud people of their money. Regardless of the degree, the act of faking or being fake results in negative consequences and is the antithesis of leadership.” I tend to agree with him.
Yes, good comment.
🙂 Good comment.
This article lists 12 ‘fake’ traits. Your list includes them all. Thanks for the list.
https://breakthroughtraining.com/articles/8-traits-false-leadership/
Thank you Gen. Satterfield for a list of those “fake traits” we find in not only poor leaders but occassionally in a good leader too.
Great list and, yes, very comprehensive.
Good to hear from you. Thanks Army Captain.
Good to hear you like the list.