Sound leadership is one of the most important attributes of an employer or manager. It’s your job to be assertive and to ensure that everyone stays on task. But one mistake that some leaders make is being harsh to the point that it actually hurts operations and creates tension between them and their employees. Here are five specific signs that your leadership is too harsh.
- You Tear Others Down
Constructive criticism is an inherent part of the job, and you must inevitably tell your employees what they need to improve upon. But if it’s gotten to the point where you’re berating and belittling employees when they make even the smallest mistake, this is a problem. It’s going to kill company morale and can lead to high turnover.
- Employees Shut Down When You Give Them Feedback
This is often the byproduct of our first point and a sign you’re being too rough on your employees. If they just sit there with little to no response during a feedback session, it usually signifies a mental shutdown where they’re simply trying to survive the situation. This is an issue because your employees aren’t likely to retain much of your feedback, and they probably think of you as a bully.
- The Room Goes Quiet When You Walk In
If everyone is chatting and having a good time and your presence kills the vibe entirely, this is definitely problematic. This shows your employees don’t feel comfortable with you, and it’s an obvious warning sign you’re too harsh.
- Employees Avoid Asking You for Direction
Employees have questions but are too afraid to ask out of fear of negative repercussions. In this scenario, their productivity will decline and creative thinking will go out the window.
- You’re a Control Freak
If it’s gotten to the point where you’re micromanaging every single aspect of your business and react with volatility any time someone doesn’t perfectly comply, this is a sign of a harsh leadership style. This will upset the natural flow of operations and can be a hindrance to creative thinking for employees.
If you’ve witnessed any of these five signs, you can bet your leadership style is too harsh. Fortunately, it’s never too late to change, and becoming aware of these issues is often the first step to improving.
Want to learn more on managing your company with greater efficiency? Reach out to the Atlanta recruiting experts at Encadria Staffing Solutions or read our related blog posts!