A World With No Bad Leaders
I've been avoiding this. It's weird to have a negative be the nucleus of anything, let alone talking about it. It's tough to have it not sound like a venting session but I gotta get it out.
I've had some crappy bosses.
One moment you think they only exist in "Office Space" and next you're scratching your head wondering how one can be so open about their abuse of power. The casualness of letting their ego take the wheel, and the degree to which they lack empathy.
You know when something is so easy, one has to try to fail at it? It shouldn't take much to think of others. Yet, when shit hits the fan between employee and employer, there is a lack of compassion present. Almost always.
I cannot comprehend how we have all the knowledge and blueprints to be a great leader, yet I hear stories on the daily of incompetent leadership.
Sure, there are two sides to a story, and I'll concede that leaders will have to make decisions that not everyone will agree with.
Situational disagreements are not what you hear about though.
It's usually blatant acts of dishonesty and one-way streets. Areas where there is no compassion or decency. No consideration for employees' perspective. Sounds lovely, right?
For the last decade, I've been unintentionally collecting horror stories from family and friends.
Moving forward, Ill begin sharing some of these grim accounts as a learning tool. Sometimes you learn more from the perspective of 'what not to do'. That’s been the case for me so far.
I want to put a spotlight on these leaders. Not out of spite, but to help eradicate any leadership that exists beyond the realms of service.
The objective? Let's work towards a world where shitty bosses exist in the past or only in movies. That feat sounds impossible, but we'll sure as hell try.
For now here is a list of prerequisites every leader needs to possess. If you can't nail these, don't bother being responsible for others.
Commitment to Integrity: Leaders must embody honesty, transparency, and ethical behavior, making decisions rooted in principles and values.
Empathy and Compassion: Leaders prioritize the well-being and growth of their team members, actively listening to their needs and concerns, and providing support to help them thrive.
Strategic Vision: Leaders possess foresight and a clear vision for the future of the organization, anticipating challenges and opportunities, and guiding their team towards long-term success.
Adaptability and Systems Thinking: Service leaders are adaptable in dynamic environments, capable of navigating complexity and leading change effectively. They approach challenges holistically, understanding the interconnectedness of various systems within the organization.
Moral Authority and Accountability: Leaders establish trust and credibility through their actions, setting high standards of excellence, delegating responsibility appropriately, and fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
Until next week,
Ardi Ghasemi
