Whether you’re a new or seasoned leader, it’s important to know how to spot and deal with insecure leaders. An insecure leader is someone who can easily feel overwhelmed and overloaded, which can lead to a number of problems within a company. Here are some of the most common signs to look out for.
Stop explaining decisions
Having an insecure leader in your team can be an intimidating experience. These types of people are not always easy to work with, but they can be very damaging to your organization. If you’re working with a toxic leader, you’ll need to take the necessary steps to separate yourself from the problem. Insecure leaders often exhibit three or more symptoms. You don’t want to misdiagnose your toxic leader, however, as this can be very damaging.
Insecure leaders may be reluctant to explain their decisions, or they’ll avoid giving feedback to the team because they’re afraid of what the feedback will say. Instead, they’ll micromanage, defend their decisions, or take credit for team outcomes. They are also more likely to be argumentative and joking about serious issues. These are all signs of a toxic leader. They’ll shut the door on development and improvement, and create a culture of frustration.
Insecure leaders often have a “my way or the highway” mentality. They’re not interested in hearing others’ opinions, but instead, they try to convince the team that their opinions aren’t welcome. This creates a sense of disrespect and rejection. Their actions are rooted in their insecurities, which are a deeper character flaw.
If you’re working with a toxic insecure leader, you’ll need to be willing to ask for help and to accept criticism. If you don’t, you might become a victim. Your insecure leader might also act in a defensive manner, or even begin to act out. Fortunately, there are ways to treat a toxic leader and make your team better.
Having confidence in your decision-making abilities is one of the key components to being a successful leader. Insecurities can be replaced with humility and confidence. If you are a confident leader, you can inspire your team to do the same. You can also learn how to overcome your insecurities. Regardless of what your leadership style is, you can build your team’s confidence and make your work more rewarding. For more tips on how to build confidence, check out these other articles. A confident leader doesn’t mind explaining their decisions to the team, and they’re not afraid of alternatives.