A leader is just a person, which means they have flaws—just like everyone else. But the truly great leaders out there are the ones who strive to make things better for others despite these flaws. However, there are some characteristics of a leader that we can’t miss; let’s talk about traits a good leader shouldn’t have.
1. Cowardice
Imagine a leader who bolts when things get tough. Not a great feeling, right? Courage is key for a leader. They need to stand up, not just for themselves but for their team. Cowardice? That’s a quick way to disqualify yourself from being a good leader. Big decisions require courage to face the fear of failure.
2. Selfishness
We naturally gravitate toward people who give rather than take. If someone goes out of their way for you, you notice, and that’s how leaders should behave. A good leader is a giver, looking to make life easier for others, even if it sometimes mean taking on extra burdens themselves.
3. Backbiting
It may seem harmless, but backbiting is a no-go. A true leader covers for their team’s mistakes and doesn’t gossip behind their backs. During my travels, I got to know of a tribe that picks their chief based on the fact that he never talks poorly about others. They believe that backbiting shows a lack of courage to confront issues directly.
4. Irresponsibility
Responsibility is huge for a leader. The more responsible they are, the better they lead. A good leader doesn’t throw blame around; instead, they own up to mistakes, even if others were involved. They focus on solving problems rather than making excuses.
In a workplace, this means recognizing everyone’s strengths and assigning tasks accordingly. A good leader takes on their fair share of work and shares the credit when things go well. They strive to better themselves not just in skills but in character too.
In conclusion, a leader is marked by many high qualities but needs to avoid certain bad ones. They should be brave, honest, and have a clear vision for the future.