I find it hard to believe that leaders would intentionally drive their team members nuts, but some nevertheless do so anyway. Dan Rockwell shares some ways leaders do just that.

Originally posted by Dan Rockwell

Imagine the person on your team who drives you nuts. Realize you drive others crazy, too, but they’re afraid to tell you.

A leader’s quirks, inconsistencies, and weaknesses should be addressed, not tolerated.

Three ways leaders drive people nuts:

#1. Respond emotionally to problems, failure, or tough situations.

1.  Emotionally unpredictable leaders are bullies.

2.  People walk on eggshells when you’re emotionally unpredictable. Emotional leaders distract and drain teammates.

3.  Make snap decisions in the moment. Change your mind later.

4.  Throw-up your hands in frustration.

5.  Passion goes right when it invigorates and wrong when it intimidates.

6.  Emotionally steady leaders enable boldness.

#2. Show up unprepared for meetings.

1.  Arrive late and make excuses.

2.  Search for meeting notes after you arrive.

3.  Ask to be briefed after you arrive.

4.  Hold meetings without clear purpose or agendas.

5.  Busyness is never an excuse for lack of preparation.

6.  Lack of preparation makes others feel you’re incompetent.

#3. Appear disinterested during one on ones

1.  Finish a task after your appointment arrives. “I”ll be right with you. I just need to finish this email.”

2.  Answer email while someone is talking.

3.  Keep looking at your phone or watch.

4.  Distracted leaders make people feel devalued.

5.  If you want the best from others, let them know they’re valued.

Seven  more ways leaders drive people nuts:

1.  Solve problems in email.

2.  Schedule important meetings at the end of the day.

3.  Complain about people to their teammates.

4.  Expect more from others than you expect from yourself.

5.  Create an unsustainable pace.

6.  Talk with a loud voice.

7.  Give yourself perks.

Four  tips for leaders who drive people crazy:

1.  Remember how important you are. The more important you are, the more important good manners become.

2.  Remember how important they are. You succeed when your team succeeds. Don’t make things more difficult than they need to be.

3.  Preparation says you value other people’s time.

4.  Stay calm.

Anything here from Dan that you need to own and stop doing?