Do you want to avoid becoming a bad boss? Are you afraid that they already consider you a bad boss? Do you just want to feel sorry for other people who have bad bosses? Here are ideas on what makes a bad boss, well, bad?

Survey results of a readership survey conducted by Susan Heathfield regarding:

What makes a manager a bad boss?

1. 37% reported: Manager provides little direction.

2. 21% said The Manager micromanages or “pica-pica”.

3. 15% said: The manager looks down on and belittles the staff.

4. 12% said: Little or no recognition for success or hard work.

5. 8% said: The manager is indecisive and apparently changes direction at will.

Bad bosses, in order of frequency in the survey, do the following.

I love dark storytellers, gossipers, and relatives who inform them. They choose their favorite employees and take cover and make excuses for the poor work of their incompetent favorites. They ignore selected people and discriminate against many employees.

They don’t communicate, and may not even have expectations, deadlines, or goals. Bad bosses change their minds frequently, putting employees off balance. Bad bosses change expectations and deadlines frequently.

Use disciplinary action inappropriately when simple, positive communication would correct the problem. Bad bosses ignore employees until a problem arises and then lash out.

Speak loudly, rudely and one-sidedly to staff. Bad bosses don’t provide airtime for staff to respond to allegations and comments. They intimidate people and harass staff. They allow other employees to intimidate employees.

Take credit for employee successes and positive accomplishments. They are just as quick to blame employees when something goes wrong.

Failure to award rewards or recognition for positive employee performance.

Additional characteristics that were reported included the bad boss:

1. You are not qualified for the position of boss either by your skills or by your experience.

2. You will not ignore problems or mistakes. The bad boss comes back to discuss negative events continually and looks for fault with employees.

3. Will not accept constructive comments or suggestions for improvement. The bad boss cannot deal with the disagreement of employees who have their own opinions on work-related issues.

4. Lacks integrity, breaks promises, and is dishonest.

5. You do not have the courage to face a difficult situation despite knowing that it is the right thing to do.

6. Causes dissent among staff members by their actions and comments.

The comments also pointed out that many bad boss behaviors are enabled, or at least allowed, by the boss’s bad boss.

Many managers have great technical training, experience, or skills, but have not been trained or guided as managers. If you are looking for management training or development, consider the Professional Management Training Program for Management Skills Training.