By Abdulaziz Al Jahdhami — Lead by example. It’s an instruction that many managers give to their staff. To them, the statement indicates what an employee must be: good and well-performing. Be obedient to the boss. This is what most managers expect. Each person thinks differently about the statement, but the meaning behind it is “to be a role model”. Unfortunately, the ones saying “lead by example” every now and then aren’t implementing it themselves. They just give orders while “not trying to be an example” to their staff or colleagues.
Such behaviour is common among managers who are not professionally competent. Possibly they know nothing about leadership and managing a team, so they would have acquired the position by default. In other words, when they are not good at leading themselves, how can they lead others?
Sadly, such bosses are in plenty today. You can see them in different government and private organisations, and they are a burden to employers and annoying to employees and colleagues.
On the other hand, they cold-shoulder people and sometimes mess up things. A bad leader is an obstacle for employees as he/ she demotivates them and remains a source of irritation to them.
In worst cases, a bad manager could even affect the performance of organisations.
Not only that, such ‘unwelcome’ bosses sometimes control employees’ day-to-day tasks regardless of their importance. They interfere in whatever employees do by trying to micro-manage them in an unprofessional manner.
This is due to the lack of confidence on employees. Through such interference, some bosses believe it’s a practical way of managing the team, although it is not.
In fact, what they are doing is harming their team as well as giving their colleagues a hard time.
What is worse is that these managers are depriving their team members of their basic rights such as leave or emergency offs, to name a few. They are just aggressive and selfish, and not fair to them.
How can you work with a boss with no feelings? It’s intolerable. Yet, it’s unprofessional how they manage their teams. Do you think they need special courses on leadership and management where they can improve skills? Will it change their attitude?
Well, they might be useful in improving skills, but it’s no guarantee as some might not be willing to change their style of functioning. However, it’s worth trying because it might be good for some.
Organisations with such managers should take up the issue seriously and put them through intensive training so they don’t lose other employees.
Managers should clearly understand that leaders should always be role models for their team. In other words, they should be a source of inspiration to others.
Dear bosses, if your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then you are a real leader.
Therefore, be humble and responsible to the mission you are assigned too. Promote good chemistry and spread the spirit of teamwork among employees and rest assured they will spare no effort in giving their best to the organisation.
— aljahdhami22@gmail.com
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