What Negative Behaviours Should Leaders Work Extremely Hard to Eliminate?

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Yes it’s a profound question. Leadership isn’t just about inspiring others or achieving results; it’s about being a role model for integrity, fairness, and empathy. Leaders hold the power to shape the culture of their teams and organisations. Yet, even the best leaders can fall into negative habits that, if unchecked, erode trust, stifle growth, and diminish team morale.

To lead with integrity and inspire trust, here are 10 negative behaviours every leader should work tirelessly to eliminate, and the transformations that follow when they do

1. Being Condescending
Nothing erodes trust faster than a leader who talks down to their team. Condescension makes people feel insignificant and undervalued, undermining their confidence and willingness to contribute.

  • Why It Happens: A desire to assert authority or frustration with perceived mistakes.
  • The Fix: Replace dismissive tones with curiosity and constructive feedback. Ask questions, offer guidance, and treat every team member as a valuable contributor.

When leaders show respect and empathy, they foster a culture where individuals feel empowered to bring their best ideas forward.

2. Micromanaging
Micromanaging signals a lack of trust in your team. It crushes creativity, independence, and ownership.

  • Why It Happens: Fear of failure or the need for control.
  • The Fix: Set clear expectations, provide the necessary resources, and then step back. Regularly check in, but focus on outcomes rather than hovering over the process.

A leader who trusts their team inspires accountability and innovation, creating an environment where great ideas thrive.

3. Avoiding Accountability
Leaders who shift blame when things go wrong create a toxic environment. Accountability is a cornerstone of credibility.

  • Why It Happens: Fear of looking weak or inadequate.
  • The Fix: Own your mistakes and encourage your team to do the same. Apologise when necessary and focus on solutions rather than excuses.

By modelling accountability, leaders create a culture of integrity and growth.

4. Playing Favourites
Favouritism fractures teams, causing resentment and disengagement among those who feel overlooked.

  • Why It Happens: Natural biases or stronger rapport with certain individuals.
  • The Fix: Evaluate performance objectively and ensure opportunities are distributed fairly. Show appreciation for everyone’s unique contributions.

When fairness prevails, teams work together more cohesively, and trust in leadership strengthens.

5. Failing to Listen
Leaders who fail to listen miss out on valuable insights, ideas, and perspectives. Worse, they make their team feel unheard and unimportant.

  • Why It Happens: A preoccupation with solving problems quickly or assuming you already know the answer.
  • The Fix: Practice active listening. Make eye contact, summarise what you hear, and validate others’ input, even if you disagree.

Listening creates an environment where innovation flourishes, and people feel valued.

6. Ignoring Feedback
Feedback is a gift, whether it’s praise or constructive criticism. Ignoring it shows a lack of openness to growth and improvement.

  • Why It Happens: Discomfort with criticism or overconfidence in current methods.
  • The Fix: Seek feedback actively and act on it when appropriate. Let your team know you value their insights.

Being open to feedback demonstrates humility and builds a culture of continuous improvement.

7. Being Inconsistent
Inconsistent behaviour or decision-making creates confusion and distrust. Teams rely on leaders to set a steady course.

  • Why It Happens: Poor communication, lack of self-awareness, or shifting priorities.
  • The Fix: Be transparent about changes and communicate decisions clearly. Strive to align your actions with your words.

Consistency builds stability, and stability builds trust.

8. Neglecting Recognition
Failing to recognise contributions is a silent morale killer. When hard work goes unnoticed, motivation wanes.

  • Why It Happens: Focus on results rather than people or taking accomplishments for granted.
  • The Fix: Celebrate wins, big and small. Make recognition a habit, whether it’s a quick thank-you or a formal acknowledgment.

Recognition fuels motivation, loyalty, and engagement.

9. Overreacting to Challenges
Leaders set the emotional tone for their teams. Overreacting to challenges can create an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty.

  • Why It Happens: Stress, lack of preparation, or a tendency to catastrophise.
  • The Fix: Take a moment to pause before reacting. Focus on facts, solutions, and calm communication.

A composed leader inspires confidence and helps teams navigate adversity with resilience.

10. Failing to Model Behaviour
Leaders are always being watched. If your actions don’t align with your words, your credibility takes a hit.

  • Why It Happens: Lack of self-awareness or underestimating the impact of your behaviour.
  • The Fix: Reflect regularly on your actions and ask yourself if they align with your values. Set the example you want your team to follow.

When leaders model the behaviours they expect, they earn respect and inspire their teams to rise to the same standard.

Eliminating these behaviours isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being intentional. Leadership is a journey of self-awareness and growth. By addressing these habits, leaders can:

  • Build trust and loyalty.
  • Create an inclusive, collaborative culture.
  • Inspire their teams to achieve extraordinary results.

Great leaders lead, but more importantly, they empower. They listen, they learn, and they lift others.