Bad Leadership
In my Leadership and Empowerment class we are addressing this issue. It’s amazing to me that many people continue to follow what they would consider bad leadership even when it leads the organization in a direction they no longer agree with. Even “toxic” leadership, which I define as leadership that significantly injures or destroys a person, organization or nation, can find seemingly committed followers. My question is why?
Honestly, looking back over my life, I have had periods of time where I followed bad leadership. I complained inwardly; I may have even voiced my opposition to others, but I continued to follow and for the most part did nothing to change the situation until I left the organization. In the meantime, not only did the organization suffer, but it wasted my time and energy and ultimately kept me from pursuing my own dreams and goals or from realizing my own potential as a leader.
So, think with me on this issue. Here are some questions to ponder:
1. How would you define good leadership?
2. How would you define bad leadership?
3. What would keep you in an organization under bad leadership?
4. Can a person with bad leadership skills learn to provide good leadership?
5. What should a person do when they find themselves in an organization suffering from bad leadership?
