Add This to Your Not To Do List
Are you in a position of leadership or do you aspire to be a leader. There are many attributes of good leadership that you can learn and implement, but there are also some traits you will never allow to be a part of your repertoire. A leader is never a bully.
Guess what? A manager, boss, or supervisor might be a bully, but they’ll never be a leader. A leader takes the high road. An influencer learns how to direct people to make better choices without put downs, anger, threats, or shame.
Here’s a quick list of actions that make you a bully. Check and see if you’re guilty of using any of these against the people you’re supposed to be leading:
- Snarky comments
- Demeaning someone’s value
- Foul language
- Badgering
- Insults
- Hostility
- Intent to harm
- Intimidation
- Manipulation
- Harassment
- Spreading rumors or falsehood (slander and libel)
- Shaming, whether public or private
- Cyberbullying
- Physical harm
So, what do you do if you are guilty of perpetrating any of these actions against someone in a position subordinate to you?
First, you stop doing these things now and commit to never doing them again. Second, you apologize to the people you’ve hurt, and if you bullied them publicly you should apologize publicly.
If you can’t apologize, you’re not ready to be a leader. True leaders are willing to admit when they’re wrong and do everything in their power to make it right.
You may need some counseling or mentoring so that you can break the bullying habits you’ve used and learn how to be a true leader. Admitting you need help is a trait of someone who’s ready to lead.
I’m Jeff M. Miller, and I help ordinary people who are stuck in a rut change their behaviors so they can be extraordinary. I’m an entrepreneur who retired from my full-time job in my early 40s to work from home. I’m a financial counselor, life coach, graphic designer, and passionate believer in helping others improve their lives a little more each day.