Stuck between mediocrity and excellence

The problem with bad bosses is that they spawn more bad bosses.  Just as Dr. Evil created a Mini-Me -- a bad boss will create many  protégés.  They will then go on to create more bad spawn and the compound effect begins to take over.  Or does it?  The only reason bad bosses end up procreating is because they are in an environment that allows it.  Just as mold grows and thrives in dark, damp places -- bad bosses will grow and thrive in environments that promote bullies, narcissists, and political animals .  The simple reason is that all of the people trying to move UP the ladder think that that's the way that they need to be.  The worst part of the story is that bad bosses don't even know they are bad and companies don't even realize that this is the type of environment they foster.  It's why there are so many books on organizational health and leadership.  The gap between what it really is and what it should be is enorm...

There was one of those motivational picture things on Linkedin that said,  A bad job with a good boss is better than a good job with a bad boss.  Then there's another one that says,  People don't leave companies, they leave bad leaders (or managers ).    Which one is it?  I agree with the Marcus Buckingham point of view that people have to like what they do.  When people like what they do, then who they work with becomes far more tolerable. For example, when I left a big Firm, I loved who I worked with and I liked what I did.  I developed many friendships and have seen many people that I have worked with become successful in their own right.  Along the ride, I had many leaders and managers that weren't very fun to work with. But the reason I stayed is that for the most part, I genuinely liked the people that I worked with.  For the majority of us, we are not exactly in a good job- we are in a job that is acceptable or t...

As you start to traverse the corporate ladder, you begin to understand the type of personality that runs the organization or company.  At some point, you have to decide if that's either the type of personality you want to have or if that's the type of personality you expect your direct reports to deal with.  Everyone has good intentions of changing things "once I get to the top."  But as the saying goes, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions."  Before you decide whether being the top dog is what you are going to be, take a good look around and determine if the ones at the top are what you aspire to be.  If not, it might be time for a change.