Are You a Toxic Boss?

Apparently, half the time someone leaves a job it's not because of the company but because of a toxic boss. That's according to a 2015 Gallup poll of more than 7,200 people. Managers and business professionals must learn to recognize these horrible supervisors quickly.

One bad apple in the bunch can cost a company thousands of dollars in staff time due to turnover when they drive good employees away. Identify the signs of a toxic boss before it's too late and more people leave. Hopefully, you aren't one of these bad supervisors.

Secrecy

A toxic boss isn't very transparent and he keeps to himself. This person withholds important information from team members and may express opinions later that run contrary to what was said in meetings.

Status Equals Success

Rather than showing that work itself is a worthy goal, a bad manager could place an emphasis on her own status as a measure of success. She may not see other people on the team as successful unless they are worthy of becoming a fellow manager.

Lack of Support

These types of supervisors may see employees as disposable assets rather than equals on the job. A toxic boss feels that members of his team are only there to edify and serve him, and he only gives support to subordinates if there is a direct personal benefit in return.

Thwarting Others

Thwarting the efforts of others in the department may be even worse than showing a lack of support. For example, a supervisor might reward an employee who is currently in the middle of some kind of corrective action.

Competition

Instead of working as a team, a toxic boss might actually compete with her team members. Rather than seeing teammates as people who complement the team, a bad manager could see everyone she manages as a threat to her position.

No Boundaries

All employees have a right to their own time away from the office. A horrible supervisor constantly contacts his subordinates when they're not in the office as a way to solve problems, get more productivity or handle emergencies. This could lead to more stress among workers, and that stress adds up to possible doctor's visits and medical costs. One study from 2012 states it can take around 22 months for an employee to get over the stress of dealing with a bad supervisor.

Negative Communication

Rather than responding well to feedback from coworkers, a bad supervisor might decide to turn feedback from fellow employees into a negative slant against the other person's weaknesses. Good bosses take responsibility for their actions and attitudes.

Dishonesty

One trademark of a toxic supervisor is dishonesty. Although this person may point out lies that other people say, this type of manager rarely takes responsibility for his own lies and deceit. A dishonest manager quickly loses respect and credibility of those around him.

How do you solve the problem of having a toxic manager? Pay attention to the reasons good employees leave the firm, and know how to spot signs. Both of these factors can save your company time and money. A toxic boss doesn't have to ruin your firm's reputation as a great employer. Discouraging bad managers must come from high-level executives as part of a company's culture.

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