The Qualities of a Poor leader

Persons in positions of power, who do not possess the right qualities to become proficient as leaders, will never become successful role models. Throughout history, leaders are supposed to act as role models for the general population. People without the proper guidance can become poor leaders as a result of the negative influence of others. Certain qualities that define a poor leader are: decisions based on individual advancement, decisions made without listening to others, and a lack of confidence in the goals that set out to be achieved.

Typically, leaders that are not adept at their position do not lead for the welfare of the group. They focus only upon themselves advancing further in the career ladder or gaining only individual benefits. A poor leader can sometimes leave his assemblage in search of personal benefit. This can sometimes cause further problems for the group as a result of the lack of leadership. One example of a poor leader that only led for personal goals is Christopher Columbus. Although a perceived successful leader and a determined one, he lacked the ability to think for the welfare of his supporters. During the period of Columbus’ discovery of the Bahamas, he needed a way to show his sponsor, Queen Isabella, that his mission was not in vain. He discovered that the natives were not valuable as slaves because of their lack of immunities from common European diseases. Columbus set the island’s inhabitants to work looking for gold. Columbus forced his crew to chop off of the natives’ hands if the natives did not gather enough gold. His crew thought this to be cruel and inhuman, but Columbus continued this practice as a way of preserving his self-image and making an economic gain. Columbus’s case itself is an example of personal gain to the point of cruelty to others. A desire for personal gain is a trait of a poor leader in any society.

It is felt that the ability to listen to others is an essential quality of a first-class leader. Without this quality, Columbus represents that group of leaders who may not be as successful and as well respected as others. If a person in charge lacks the ability to listen to his/her followers, he is definitely not a superior manager. If such a director were put in the position of a follower, he would most likely feel not heard. Excellent communication between the leader and followers is vital to the success of achieving a goal. Therefore, a person’s ability to listen to others is so important. In the Odyssey, when Odysseus did not listen to Eurylochus on the island of Circe all of his crewmen are turned into swine. The ability to talk less and listen more is an indispensable quality of a decent leader. Autocracy does not equal happiness.

If a leader does not express confidence in succeeding an objective, it will never be completed. Confidence is vital to the psyche of followers. Newspapers report that people’s lack of confidence in the United States economy, resulted in a slow recovery of the stock market after the recent recession. This same lack of confidence can also be applied to people who lack self-assurance in their chief. Confidence in a leader, leads to confidence in the process, which ultimately leads to success.

Persons who demonstrate poor leadership qualities exhibit some or all of the following traits: personal gain, the inability to listen to followers and a lack of confidence. As Columbus demonstrated, no matter how famous people can become, they may lack certain qualities that did not make them outstanding people in the aspect of leadership. Odysseus could have avoided trouble by following the advice of others. As in the stock market, when faith is not present, a large difference is not likely to be seen. If a leader demonstrates some or all of these less favorable characteristics he is not living up to his full potential as a leader and he does not have the successful support of his followers.