Four things leaders can do to spot bad bosses
Here’s a harsh reality: Bad bosses thrive in organizations where senior executives don’t look closely enough.
The most significant leadership blind spot? The illusion of transparency—the belief that we fully understand what’s happening with others. Executives assume they see their managers clearly when, in reality, they only see what’s carefully presented.
What employees see:
Bad bosses are obvious to their teams. Mistreatment creates social pain—a lingering emotional wound that hurts morale, trust, and performance.
What executives see:
From the top, bad managers look polished and professional. They "manage up" while hiding their negative behaviors from view.
The consequences of allowing bad bosses to linger:
High turnover rates
Poor team performance
Eroded trust across the organization
Four things leaders can do to spot bad bosses:
Pay attention to data
Look for patterns in retention, engagement, and team outcomes that indicate deeper issues.
Encourage honest feedback
Create safe spaces where employees can speak up about leadership concerns.
Measure morale locally
Don’t rely on broad surveys. Drill down to individual teams to identify cultural disparities caused by poor management.
Be decisive
Once a bad boss is identified, act swiftly to prevent further damage.
Great leadership starts with accountability.
By proactively addressing blind spots and fostering transparency, executives can root out poor management and build stronger, more resilient teams.
For more valuable insight, check out my new leadership book Certainty: How Great Bosses Can Change Minds and Drive Innovation.
