The Problem With Bad Leadership
If you’ve ever had a job, chances are you’ve worked for a terrible boss. We all have stories about that one manager who made life miserable. I’ve had my fair share too.
Bad leadership isn’t just annoying. It drains energy, lowers morale, and creates toxic environments. When leaders stop listening, creativity dies. When managers lead like dictators, employees disengage. And when people disengage, customers notice.
The truth is simple: terrible bosses cost companies more than they realize.
My Experience in Radio
Years ago, while working in radio, I had a program director who fit the definition of a terrible boss. Incompetence showed in her decisions. Rudeness marked most of her interactions. She carried herself as if everyone else was beneath her.
Her management style was pure dictatorship. Every day felt like walking into battle. Morale was constantly low, and when you work on air, that’s the last environment you want.
Radio talent needs freedom. Creativity thrives in positive environments. Energy on the mic depends on how you feel off the mic. When your boss crushes that energy, it shows in your performance. It shows in ratings. And eventually, it shows in profits.
Why the Power of Asking Matters
This program director never understood the Power of Asking. The team’s well-being was never part of the conversation. Whether we felt supported didn’t seem to matter. Opportunities to improve her leadership were ignored completely.
Instead, she assumed she had all the answers. That’s one of the worst mistakes any leader can make.
Asking is more than a question. It’s a signal that you value people. It creates trust. It opens the door to solutions. And it stops small issues from becoming big disasters.
The Turning Point
Eventually, upper management was replaced. The new leadership brought in people who understood the Power of Asking. Instead of assuming, they began to listen. Employees were consulted about what they needed most. Culture was evaluated, and roadblocks were addressed. That shift changed everything.
Ratings improved. Morale climbed. The station became more profitable. They grew strong enough to push out a competitor that had been number one for more than 25 years.
All it took was asking.
Why This Matters for Every Leader
Terrible bosses exist in every industry. They might hold power for a while, but they always leave damage behind. The real tragedy is that companies often allow it to continue for far too long.
As a leader, you can’t afford to stay blind to what’s happening in your organization. Begin by asking about the health of the business itself. Check in with employees to learn how they truly feel. Find out if managers have the tools and support required to succeed. And above all, listen closely to what comes back.
The organizations that rise to the top are the ones that put people before egos.
The Strategy: Avoid Becoming a Terrible Boss
Here’s how to make sure you never become the problem:
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Ask often. Don’t wait for complaints. Seek feedback regularly.
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Listen fully. Don’t defend. Don’t dismiss. Hear what’s being said.
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Act quickly. Show that feedback matters by making improvements.
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Protect culture. Employees can’t thrive under a dictator. Build an environment where creativity and motivation can grow.
When you lead this way, you don’t just retain employees. You create customers for life.
Conclusion: Leadership Unlocked #3 Is About Listening
A terrible boss can sink an organization. A great leader can save one.
The difference is in the Power of Asking. One approach destroys morale. The other builds loyalty and profit.
If you want to be number one, stop pretending you have all the answers. Ask the questions that matter. Listen. Then apply what you learn. That’s how you turn “terrible boss” into “trusted leader.”
Kid Corona – Keynote Speaker, National Trivia Host, Chief Border Agent of Slowjamastan
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