5 Characteristics of Bad Leaders

[@dannyhardesty3692]

Bad leader: Personal vendetta against subordinates that interferes with the team mission. Failure to accept responsibility. Vague directives that lack specific implementation. Seen all of this in the business world.

[@dannyhardesty3692]

@@MoronicAcid1 Because the problem is with the leader--not the subordinate. The proper question to ask is why is the leader there?

[@swissarmyknight4306]

@Andreea Ce? Yeah, having a senior NCO disrupt an entire convoy in an extremely dangerous way in a war zone due to a personal vendetta against me in particular did have its good side. It got him removed from his position.

[@Chris-y2q]

And can't control their emotions

[@Excaliburhope]

It's in every sector including the public sector.

[@thamanzkurlz9751]

Sounds like my SL from Bragg lol

[@yorky2002]

As I'm a task-focussed person, I hate when people are given a leadership role because they're good at office politics rather than the job. I believe this is the biggest failure in leadership - a person thinks because they're good at politics they will promote others like them. This creates a downward spiral that reinforces bad leadership across the organisation and is very common today! Great video!!!!

[@Tap02]

Lack of social skills makes for a bad leader, you can’t scream your way out of every problem. Jesus…

[@stvnfarm]

It isn't about bad or good social skills. It's about someone who only has social skills as the reason behind their promotion.

[@chthulu27]

I have Aspergers syndrome and perhaps unsurprisingly, I despise office politics. They always seem to get in the way of getting the job done and provide excuses for incompetent nerdoels to screw over other people that might outshine them.

[@aaftiyoDkcdicurak]

Yeah let's choose our leaders like a prom queen.

[@xon2013]

I've seen this at my work

[@johna7661]

Often leadership failures lead to a policy of finding scapegoats. When I see that, I am gone. Personal honesty and responsibility is paramount.

[@mauricematla8379]

Show me then the one person with a perfect record in those departements..... Perhaps we obses over leiderschap too much i worked in a departement that went 18 months without any "Leaders" we did fine without one.

[@johna7661]

@@mauricematla8379 The sign of a good leader is that things run just as well when they are not there as when they are.

[@mauricematla8379]

@@johna7661 Maybe you miss understood. It is not that the guy was on vacation sick or whatever.... We simply did not have one . We got the drawings and simply bashed together what was required ordered crap that needed ordering organized it all among ourselves et voila. And then OC came the silly American they dug from some stinkhole.... He was a big mistake. But after a while OC we mostly ignored the bugger. He needed a good few stern talkings too and even recieved a few well placed totally apropiate ,literal, kicks in the rear end. If you don't have enough sense to keep your hands out of my tools and think you get too mess with my settings youbshould be surprises somebody is going to teach you.

[@samcwyss01]

Arrogance is also a terrible trait a leader can have. I had a FSO who was so arrogant, he couldn't admit when he was wrong, even when a major caught him cheating on the land nav site.

[@gendoruwo6322]

The fact that he was cheating in the first place is yet another red flag. Without integrity, there is no leadership.

[@TheOpethOfMastodon]

He get caught using a Garmin?

[@samcwyss01]

@@TheOpethOfMastodon yeah and copying down points from other people on the course.

[@gatorsix3761]

Unbelievable! Wow. I have been in the military for awhile now, my first job was as an FSO. I learned real quick land nav was crucial.. if I couldn’t do it-I was useless and, u don’t want FA landing in the wrong spot… so I worked worked and worked. I got so competent that the Commander would call me on the radio requesting my position, he would then pass it forward as the FLOT. That was a good pat on the back. There’s Always something you can be better at. Never stop learning. 24 years later, I still practice it !

[@lorenminer1079]

And the reality is that humans "only" recognize a trait in another when it is in them as well. I have the equivalence of a Ph D in arrogance, ignorance and assumptions. So I pick up on it quickly in others. And I do my very best to stay aware of whether I am coming from any of those traits as I lead others. One flip side of this is a "true leader" Listens to his men and does his best to encourage and support others in developing their leadership skills. In fact seeing someone you have coached and mentored do it even better than you is one of the best rewards I know of.

[@erickgutierrez6743]

The worst leader I've ever had in the military was actually nicest. The best were the ones who held us accountable while not completely throwing us under the bus.

[@gendoruwo6322]

unfortunately, it's the nicest who often get elected: because both the morons and the corrupt love them.

[@CabooseVonSparda]

It's good to be kind. But sometimes, you need to be stern and hard about things.

[@Daniel-ix2sy]

#6 Being a bad follower: I was guilty of this after being stop-lossed to go to Afghanistan for a year as an Airborne Infantry platoon squad leader. I was bitter and cynical most of my time there. I loved my men and took care of them best I could, however I should have presented a better example of leader to them.

[@fobbitoperator3620]

We NCOs often have made errors letting our anger & egos direct the path we walk. We're human, therefore we turd-out sometimes. The important thing here is Daniel, you recognize your faults. The important lesson we must focus on in these scenarios is, to not make that same mistake, & make amends to those we wronged. It's not the fact that we fvcked up. It's how we reacted once we realize it, then CM to a greater path, & do everything we can to broadcast greatness omnidirectionally. Cheers, & be forever blessed my fellow Patriot!

[@Daniel-ix2sy]

@@fobbitoperator3620 Thanks sir! Same to you!

[@fobbitoperator3620]

@@Daniel-ix2sy Always!

[@fyrchmyrddin1937]

At least you've matured to recognize this failing. My Platoon Sergeant was stop-lossed (along with others) for Desert Storm & openly undermined me as a new butterbar... ... of course there were plenty of other issues with him, including the appearance of sexual fraternization with the Company Commander, his wife, and my predecessor. I've reviewed my own failings, the greatest of which I recently heard humorously but accurately labeled as practicing "liker-ship" rather than leadership. That's obviously a potentially deadly flaw for Infantry... However, I worked with Black Hats at Benning and realized this SFC had not only failed in helping me learn my job, but put my platoon at risk by back-channeling & sowing discontent.

[@fobbitoperator3620]

@fyrchmyrddin1937 Also being cursed with senior NCOs such as the SFC you mentioned, I used them as an example of how NOT to be as a leader. A leader without the trust & earned respect of his/her juniors, is a failed & ineffective leader. Getting in their faces & screaming "YOU MUST RESPECT ME GAW'DAMMIT," is a prime example of a gold plated turd...

[@robbentodd6824]

In addition to my previous comment, I had military leaders that picked favorites, denying young airmen like myself valuable leadership opportunities. I was shocked that active duty E-4’s were given leadership roles, and I was an E-6 with no leadership training or opportunities. Only when I got to E-7 did my friend and section leader build a more active duty enlisted leadership program for us traditional guardsmen.

[@oldleatherhandsfriends4053]

Dude you answered your own question. You got leadership roles when your FRIEND got into the right position. Same thing for those E4's.

[@t.j.aarons889]

I used to work with tracked vehicles. I had a buddy who was a mechanic as a hobby, and so he had lots of power tools. He would bring them to work on the tracks to make a 5 hour job into an hour job. We had a leader who shunned him and told him he couldn't use the power tools. His reasoning was "That's not how we're taught to work"

[@DA-br9xd]

Instead of that leader thinking, "I'm gonna put in a request for some power tools" ...some ignorant shit

[@t.j.aarons889]

@DA-br9xd he would say shit like "You could hurt yourself with one of those things" as if my friend was an 8 yr old fucking with his dad's power drill for the first time. As a matter of fact, I think that is another bad leader characteristic. Patronizing others.

[@mkm7251]

The definition of working harder, not smarter. Goodness gracious.🙄 Why on earth would you NOT want to implement a solution that shortens up a job that would otherwise take half a day?

[@t.j.aarons889]

@mkm7251 craziest concepts, man. My friend was really good at the job and he is what the military would describe as "motivated" besides buying tools for his own uses, he would actively buy more tools for our work vehicles and offer help to guys in other companies and was always there when we had a mishap for learning purposes. He was never promoted because he was "belligerent," and he got out after his first enlistment. A quote from him I remember years later "Man, I would be lucky if the captain gave me a meritious handshake."

[@Undertaker93]

Reminds me when our LT would get mad at me for helping out our mechanics during down time. He would say something along the lines of "You're a army engineer not a mechanic" like no shit, but it helps knowing how to fix the equipment I operate. Then again this was Ft Hood so 😬

[@OsoBlanco17]

How can you not appreciate a GREEN BERET sharing his knowledge and breaking it down in real life scenarios?? Thank you sir!

[@mauricematla8379]

Kissing ass and making a lot of assumptions based on a guy's formeren proffesion..... Way too go kid.

[@gimmeyourrights8292]

​@@mauricematla8379 I mean, there's a former profession and then there's being a former Green beret.

[@mauricematla8379]

@@gimmeyourrights8292 And ?

[@gimmeyourrights8292]

@@mauricematla8379 The point is that seen combat and seen the best and worst out of leaders so they would know what their talking about when it comes to leadership.

[@mauricematla8379]

@@gimmeyourrights8292 Really ? That is pretty much a BS argument. They also spend a lot of time out in nature they are now expert judges of ecologists ? Shipyard welders are the end all be all authority when it comes to rating Naval architects ? Oh boy i worked on submarines a lot i must be an expert on sumarine design but also submarine designers....

[@wherecar54]

The worst trait…not accepting truth, it all starts there. Everything else is a by product.

[@DreadX10]

Agree! But I might swap the word 'truth' for 'reality' as it comes down to the same thing but 'reality' is not as laden as 'truth'.

[@SuicidePar]

Yeah, my squad leader, who was an incompetent dumbass, made the mistake of asking me if he was a good Marine NCO. After two deployments with less than a year left in the Corps, knowing I’d probably never make Corporal myself, I was feeling salty, and straight up told him no to his face. I told him that the whole squad was hoping he would have gotten fragged in Iraq. The look on his face when the realization hit him that no one had any real respect for him! 😂 Truth was too much for him to accept that he asked the brown noser in the squad just to validate his ego. 🤦‍♂️

[@arya31ful]

​@@DreadX10 Faulty perception of reality causes faulty problem identification, which causes the solution to be faulty as well. This alone should've discourage anyone from lying.

[@pnyarrow]

Bullying is probably one of the worst bad leadership traits. Thanks for a really great 'hitting the nail on the head' videos. Stay safe. ATB. Nigel

[@invisibleman4827]

I completely agree. I had a line manager who after asking a colleague about some info I needed for my job which he eventually gave me (reluctantly), they both turned on me over all my flaws from small to big, and my LM told me he'd have told me to fellate myself. I later called him out on it in front of his superiors and he blew his lid and denied it, so I asked for a transfer to a new team, which I got. Bullies are the worst, and when they're your superiors, they sap your will to work, or even live.

[@pnyarrow]

@@invisibleman4827 Dead right, thanks for sharing. Stay safe. ATB.

[@invisibleman4827]

@@pnyarrow 👍

[@DavidLLambertmobile]

We had a MP bn commander: O-5 LTC who was a total a$÷. SouthCom 🇵🇦 1990s. He used budget $$$ to buy a new GM Blazer with full police 🚔 gear, lights, radio. Bully Boy turns around and tells the MP enlisteds there was no $$$ for new Ford Taurus SHO sedans. 😡

[@pnyarrow]

@@DavidLLambertmobile A good leader looks after his troops - need I say more? Thanks for sharing. Stay safe. ATB

[@karlalbright2733]

As an NCO i tried to see the faluts and weaknesses in my subordinates and tried to help them improve those, while with superiors i tried to pass on my experience of how things worked the best yet i was always open on both ends to improvement of myself. I have found that this is the best way to work in the private sector also

[@able-ni7np]

Great video! Reminds me of a recent experience where I worked under a leader that suppressed creativity and showed favouritism. I believe it's very important for good leaders to empower their subordinates to accomplish the team's mission and not feel intimidated by the potentials and efforts of individual team members.

[@JohnSmith-nc9ep]

Best and toughest part of your videos is hearing something that may apply to me. Thank you! I will do better.

[@andrewnguyen9813]

Trust is earned. Bad leaders don't care about his/her fellow teammates or soldiers in the military and business.

[@fobbitoperator3620]

My crowning achievement as an NCO throughout my Army career was helping an overweight PFC who had been in for 6 years, but couldn't get promoted to SPC-4. I was in the Reserves serving with the 321st CA in SA TX. I was unemployed at the time & had a ton of $ in the bank, so I basically took a year off. I wrote out a diet & fitness plan for him, handed the memo to him & asked him, "do you want to look back on your life at 50, & regret not pushing harder?" He was severely depressed, so I did the only thing I could do. Took him to the gym. I not only showed him how to work out smartly, we worked out together, lifted, ran, hit the heavy bags. After 3 months of this he had dropped 80 lbs, & had to get all new ACUs, then soon passed his APFT. I pinned his SPC rank on him. I helped him 8 months later to put his SGT/E-5 packet together, & a few months later pinned that on him. I saw a completely different young man standing there at his SGT promotion. He was promoted to a different unit, as they needed his extreme commo prowess. I saw him a few years later, & he was built like a brick shit house, as he had become a permanent fixture at his gym. He became a gym rat. I've helped several other young Privates, SPCs & Junior NCOs get their promotions in different ways. I helped young misguided Soldiers find greatness. Me personally, I'm now Retired, & just a truck driver, who smiles sometimes when I think of those awesome youngsters, & how much they taught me about life, & how to contribute 24/7/365. Your content in this video is top tier. My Oath will never expire!

[@BeingFireRetardant]

That is the single best thing I have heard all week. Honest, gut level, real. It took time, but growth happened. Thank you for pouring into him. What an honorable thing to do... Stay safe.

[@fobbitoperator3620]

@neighbor - J - I had good leaders guide & pour their souls into myself, & other Soldiers when we were young. I took their examples along with my father's example. Thank you for your kind words, & be forever blessed my fellow Patriot!

[@fobbitoperator3620]

@@GH23d7sL45 Never say never. Regardless of what you do for a living in life, there's always a need for leadership, even if you aren't in an official leadership position. Currently as a truck driver I'll see young truckers in a jam. I'll show them how to utilize "improvisational maintenance skills," to keep their truck truck'n safely. That is in & of itself a form of leadership, taking the initiative to make a positive difference. Sometimes it's the little things which add up to the BIG picture. Live well, conceal carry everywhere you go, & drink water!

[@CountryWolf_TX]

This brings back a lot of bad memories of past managers. Sometimes I wonder what is wrong w me? Turns out I’m not good at politics. Stay real boys.

[@tonylittle8634]

Thank you for sharing this. I have a strong distain for the leadership during my time on active duty. But looking back I found myself emulating the leaders I did admire. You’re spot on with this video!!!! One word that all leaders need is “integrity “. That is the cornerstone of any good leader.

[@Xerophun]

The best litmus test I've found in life is to watch someone react to saying "work smart and hard". The times I found it best, and easiest, to walk away was when someone called me dumb for thinking as such.

[@PhycoKrusk]

I have a way to deal with my own incompetence, if I ever wind up in a leadership position, and it hinges on honesty: "You all have a level of skill and knowledge for this project that I don't match. I will try to learn as much as I can as we go, but even if I can't make time to do that, or I just can't get it, I will do my absolute best to know what we're starting from and what we should end up with. What I need from all of you is to make sure you have the things that you need in order to make this project successful, and if for any reason you don't have what you need, I want you to tell me so that I can make sure you get it. If for any reason I can't get what you need, I will tell you as soon as I know so we can figure out what we can do instead."

[@thilomantey8220]

One of the most significant bad characteristic is exploiting others for personal success without acknowledging their partaking

[@xavierbianchi5603]

Strong work Airborne! So disappointing to hear about someone who slipped through the cracks like that. When I think of 3-18, Organization: core attributes, adaptabilities compitencies. You hit the nail on the head, Table 4-2 Learning Tasks: "Self-Reflection-Taking action to improve through a process of reflection." Thank you for bring us back to basics!

[@justinfreeman4614]

I struggle when my organization sends me to a new team with a wholly different job. It means I have very little relevant technical expertise and am therefore "incompetent" by default... Typically with no training available. I appreciate that the video included "and doesn't listen to others" in the competency section. My org sends me as a manager wherever they need management, and with a lack of training available my best substitute is trying to listen. Thankfully, my current role I just got to DOES have training. I just need to hold down the fort and chew some academics until my deputy gets back from vacation then I can get my hands dirty.

[@BBQDad463]

I spent a few years working for a boss who had been an Airborne Ranger in Korea. He was absolutely fair, honest, straightforward in his communications, totally concerned and involved in all matters relating to safety (The job often involved the use of dynamite in an explosive atmosphere.), scrupulously dedicated to accountability and responsibility. He was a superior man in all respects. I would have followed him through the gates of Hell.

[@richardlahan7068]

I've worked for people that set up subordinates for failure and then blame subordinates when they fail.

[@generalrendar7290]

One of my least favorite leader types is the one who is hard on everyone else for percieved or real mistakes, yet treats their mistakes or failures as if they aren't a big deal or that they didn't happen. It's a specific flavor of hypocrite that believes that being extra hard on everyone will increase productivity, but never realizes the amount of resentment it builds up in the team and how it shuts down creative thinking. That, and the leader who orders people around and uses threats and shame to get people to do what they want as I like to call them the, "my way or the highway" style leaders and they take conflicting information personally. It leads to so much waste it is ridiculous.

[@James.B.Russell]

Going through OCS now, as a prior enlisted who deployed to Afghanistan. I flunked out the first time after nearly a year (due to an exam and failure to properly balance college life with Phase 2 obligations) but I'm recycling into the next class to do it all over again. I'm internalizing and learning as much as I can because my greatest anxiety is being one of these bad, no-clue, incompetent Officers I've seen and heard of here and there. It's tough but I'm happy to help my fellow soldiers as much as possible. That's what gives me a sense of meaning and purpose. To help and to learn is what I love the most about the Army.

[@James.B.Russell]

@@danforth134 I suspected as much. Being buddy-buddy with the rest of the Enlisted is something I loved but that definitely has to go bye-bye as an Officer.

[@James.B.Russell]

@@danforth134 Thank you, king!

[@Okkara-q3b]

What are the safety procedures for the Navy SEALs while they are in combat? Navy SEALs* Use These 4 Psychology Tricks to Succeed Under Extreme Pressure: - Goal setting. Specifically, setting goals in very small increments, then tackling one goal at a time. - Mental rehearsal. - Self-talk. - Stay calm. Don't be afraid to hit first, and when you do, hit hard. Remember, you are fighting because this is the best and only option. Pull the trigger -- because you are in a battle for your life! Your instincts, assessment and situational awareness have told you that you are in mortal danger. You don't know the other person's intentions fully, and you never can. What you can do is survive -- it is your right to not be killed or harmed by another person. As with most things survival-related, fighting has its own set of priorities that need to be addressed at lightning speed. 1. Protect your face. 2. Stay on your feet and keep moving. 3. Hit hard. 4. Haul ass (aka get off the X.) * Your duties as a SEAL may include, but are not limited to: Conducting insertions and extractions by sea, air or land to accomplish covert, Special Warfare/Special Operations missions. Capturing high-value enemy personnel and terrorists around the world.

[@glennbroce]

This is probably THE best video on leadership I've seen. More is said here in under 8 minutes than full blown leadership conferences. We want all the tools for leadership but at the end of the day, we don't know how to lead well.

[@robbentodd6824]

I had a fire capt. that would not accept input from his crew. It was total top to down “leadership” from this man. He was awful to work for. Forced into early retirement due to injury, he’s a trust fund baby now, but still an awful person.

[@nco_gets_it]

This. One of the most important thing any leader can do is understand what they are not experts in and seek that expertise out and listen to it. To do this, one must be honest, have enough humility to accept their limits (and everyone has them--no one can master everything), and have the personal courage and values to take care of people and mission even when that will not benefit you. The more technical your career field is, the more you are not going to know. Your subordinates appreciate when you answer a question with, "that's not my area of expertise, but Jimmy here is an expert, Jimmy can you fill everyone in?" My job as a leader is not to get accolades, but to ensure that those DOING the work and accomplishing things do.

[@pistolpete5610]

Selfishness and putting ego above development of the team. I see that a lot where I work. The boss scheduling people around so they can have the weekend off. We all see it happen and it makes them look selfish and intitled. Instead of taking on more responsibility just as they delegate to others they use their workers as a shield to clean up their lack of ownership.

[@wesbredenhof9466]

Taking credit for success of their subordinates, but blame subordinates for failure.

[@kieferonline]

You hot the nail on the head in the first 10 seconds. Several years ago, i worked with a woman who was surprisingly promoted to a leadership position, running an engineering group--she was not trained as an engineer. She had confidence issues which grew more severe over time. She had all 5 characteristics you listed. She started to become sensitive in front of clients and worried that someone under her might get promoted. Several years go by and eventually all 8-10 people working under her quit contentiously. What started as a geat team with lucrative projects, she ran into the ground. She's still working there but her team is only 1-2 new hires, capabilities greatly reduced.

[@rhythmray7429]

Worked for a tech-company as an intern for a semester. It was my first term so yeh, I had little to no idea about how the industry worked. There was no training either about meetings, projects or anything so I tried to shadow my immediate superior to get a hold of things. A friend of mine once asked what I was doing in that company, my answer was, "I don't really know, I do things but I do not know what they accomplish". He said it was an example of bad management/leadership. When the lowest ranked person does not know what they are doing, you will know that the leadership is terrible. Wanna know how your job/posting/section is? ask someone about their job, what is achieves and what it does not. If they have no idea, get out.

[@Okkara-q3b]

What are some good and bad characteristics of leaders? Outstanding leaders: Has a lot of work and moral ethics. Are fair and do not abuse their power or authority. Are effective and competent. They do not know how to do everything but they are competent enough to guide each team member. Are positive through tick and thin. Are most of the time composed. They do not lose their temper easily. Are Great listeners. They value their team members and believe that every team member should be heard. Are Great solutioners. They do not feel defeated by complex situations. Maintain their team self esteem. They do not discriminate, demean, discredit anyone to make themselves feel superior. Are able to share a vision, a dream and an objective with their team. Are able to defend their project passionately. Good leaders are visionaries, have the ability to communicate well, maintain integrity and ‘walk the talk’, are empathetic, have the ability to take decisions, believe that results can be achieved while being humble and grounded - and demonstrate that even, are result oriented, ensure that their teams are aligned to their vision. People become their followers purely by the virtue of these capabilities and behaviours! NOW, Poor Leaders do not demonstrate these behaviours & competencies. Bad Leaders either create a culture of fear and a toxic environment for their employees. Employees lose productivity and motivation.

[@DavidLLambertmobile]

Good ARMY leaders delegate authority then hold those NCOs, platoon leaders accountable. Once my MP platoon sgt E-7 asked our Sgts if are gear, vehicles were ready. They all said: YES! When the 1SG complained about items, the E-7 went directly to the platoon & made the Sgts clean-replace every item 📋. He then yelled at them!

[@MajorGeneralDiscomfort]

I was a medic who was constantly bullied by my platoon sgt for minor infractions. I intended to make the Army my career. And because of that the Army lost what I think would have been a great soldier.

[@JoeyOdell-o2e]

Ive found that Narcissism, insecurity and bitterness to also be attributes of a bad leader. I’m digging these vids man! Thanks for making’em🫡

[@Osprey1994]

You are becoming a motivational speaker man. I appreciate you and your message. Whether Mil, LE, or Civ I feel like there is always something I can take away from your videosm

[@roccosfondo8748]

In the italian Army where I have been serving for 21 years bad leadership is a chronical issue. To be honest, I've met several fine leaders, many people who are just idle - not good but at least not negative - and some who were pretty bad. One in particular was a person who was very limited by the intellectual point of view. Nevertheless, he wanted to appear as the sharpest tool of the shed therefore he sistematically disagree with everyone included me and the other members of my team. Now he has been posted to another unit. Nobody, nor his fellow officers are missing him. Time to time we heard about the bs he's making in the place where he is now.

[@bigdougdog]

Spit truth, sir. We all need to be reminded of these things, and you've done me that favor today. Thanks.

[@retiredspykid9381]

There are alot of traits that make bad people in general not just leaders, however, one that I've noticed is consistent in all of the is insecurity. It might seem small at first but that one little character flaw can turn good people into despicable, petty, destructive, demons. All stemming from just one emotion. Tread lightly around chronically insecure people. They'll destroy thier own lives if it meant destroying yours.

[@p.cowart7286]

Very true. Seen it and lived it.

[@davidarcher7771]

I want to thank you for the content. I'm a retired SFC who is now a commandant of a military academy consisting of 7th thru 12th graders. Although I teach basic military skills, I truly believe that what I'm teaching is first, life and social skills; secondly, I believe that I'm creating an applied leadership laboratory where they learn to practice being persons of good character. I mention this only to say that I use your content often to drive home my point. I'm not former SF, but it lends credibility to my words when they hear/see those that have basically say that to work at your level is all about character and good leadership. Again, thanks for what you're putting out there.

[@iktita]

your videos are awesome.. thankyou... im 42 have family, work and study every day, im a proud working class guy and a leader in my team.... we have to keep building countries..

[@yasuketheblacksamuraii]

I need to conquer my addictions, thank you for this!!!!!

[@martinwalker9386]

During my first enlistment in the Navy my Division Officer was a CWO2. One day he bawled me out for something I had no part of. About 15 minutes later an E-7 came to me an led me to where I had been standing when I got chewed out. The Division was in formation, the D.O. was standing where he had chewed me and all the civilians were present. The D.O. apologized to me. I think we all liked this man. Certainly we all respected him. On my second ship we had the misfortune to have two extremely bad leaders. The O-6 Captain and my Division Chief. The Chief told an E-3, “I’m going to get you! Legal or not, I’m going to get you!” Then two days later he came into berthing before reveille and as soon as reveille started, flipped the lights on and kicked the E-3’s rack. We had curtains so the kid couldn’t see who had kicked and kid said, “What the …?!?” The Chief wrote the kid up for disrespect and the Captain neither allowed the kid to explain nor have a witness on his behalf.

[@VoiceOfTheEmperor]

I thank you for posting this. It warms my heart to see this. Thank you.

[@r.b.ratieta6111]

This is a message that's badly needed in today's world. A lot of people and organizations think narcissism and leadership are the same thing. "I'm the badass that nobody questions. That makes me the leader." Or you're just an asshole nobody likes to spend their time around. True competence has gone from a silver to a platinum trait very quickly over the last ten years. Lots of people have lost the ability to discern between when somebody talks the talk and walks the walk. The one cold comfort is the competent always come out ahead in the end because they're the ones who know what they're doing. Competence immediately becomes apparent when adversity increases. Message to all those who want to weather the storms in life: Choose competence first. It's much easier for a competent person to become cool than a cool person to become competent without a dramatic change in personality. Choose competence.

[@quitequiet5281]

So many truth bombs in your comment that are right on target... When people recognize those truths it creates a timely opportunity for victory, success and achievements. Missing that opportunity usually results in a long dragged out convoluted dramatic theatrical series of events that often results in people getting killed because of bad intelligence. That should have been recognized from get go. But narcissists support gaslighting and narcissistic sociopathic social engineering networks position their cronies politically for exploitation purposes.

[@k53847]

"Those who are clever and industrious I appoint to the General Staff. Use can under certain circumstances be made of those who are stupid and lazy. The man who is clever and lazy qualifies for the highest leadership posts. He has the requisite nerves and the mental clarity for difficult decisions. But whoever is stupid and industrious must be got rid of, for he is too dangerous.”

[@VooDoo11713]

I’ve watched almost all your videos and I’ve been a huge fan for a long time. I only subscribe to 4 channels and this is one. This is by far the best video. It’s all about self reflection, and to be a leader, you can’t help others unless you fix yourself first. Thanks for always sharing great info. I’m hoping to commission soon since I finished OCS back in March. Been in 7 years now and finally making the switch, just waiting for the right slot to open up. I’m grateful for all I’ve learned from your channel and I hope I can apply everything I’ve learned to leading future soldiers.

[@jackfarrell4727]

I totally agree. The rules are simple, respect yourself and respect others. You know what you have to do.

[@sennest]

Sir, this is another rocker. Everyone should be using this video to self-reflect.🙏🙏 We all need a kick in butt from time to time, even though it's hard, I do appreciate it. 😎👍👍

[@DarinKleen]

Wow! I need to man up and re-evaluate where and what I'm currently doing. Thanks for the kick in the ass.

[@ebm9231]

Many thanks for this video. The worth characteristic is to not ackonowledge that you have one of those characteristics and must work on it or leave.

[@ThatCampingOwl]

An exceptionally valuable video, thank you for summarizing it all

[@XInfantryman]

Weak and afraid to tell the truth, that is one of the traits I do not like in leaders. Another bad trait is when you tell a leader there's an issue, and they ignore it until it happens.

[@AVI-lh6rm]

And then when it does happen, they turn around and yell at you for "not telling me about it" 🤣

[@ebookjapan8054]

Most people should not be in a position of leadership or power, at all. Anyone older than 22 at the latest will figure out this quickly.

[@Wookie120]

Dishonesty, lies can kill. I liked the video, well done brother. Did my time driving tanks in the 80's and as an MP in late 86-93 in The Guard. I keep trying to teach the difference between a manager, and a leader. They just do not get it I am afraid, or don't want to. A simple concept, a military leadership principle/precept I learned is simply, Mission First, Men Always!

[@johanvandersandt8904]

Thank you for the lessons Colonel. I always take them to heart and try to grow from them.

[@williambuchanan77]

The problem in our society is that those who want to be in charge often crave power and they're quite determined to get that position at any cost, which causes lots of problems. We need a better approach in selecting people who have shown they have that ability for the team to do well. The deadbeats you describe in your vid is the type that is inherently unlikely to stick to any oath they take, but are quite sneaky in avoiding being called out for practically being themselves.

[@djsturm685]

Excellent video !!! won an inscribed. Continue your excellent job. I will watch your other videos.

[@j.e.g2321]

You hit this on the nail head I will be sending this to a lot of people. But too I will be the first one listening to it from time to time as I'm not perfect but a work in progress everyday. Because( the only easy day was yesterday.) Navy seals Thank you.

[@quietiger1288]

A good leader must have heart. One that contains dedication and consideration, to make plan for others, and with others.

[@michaelwestmoreland2530]

Alright. I admit. "Life is a Special Operation" is one of the best channel names I've ever come across, and I've been here since '08.

[@brentfriedland]

I can never forget. At my first Duty Station in the Army and I was a Marine brat serving with a guy my Dad 'saved' in Vietnam and the tallest and strongest and one of the only 'white boys'. We were remote and with a host nation unit on their base. It was boring as hell and I was still learning the lingo and I caught all the duty practically becoming a barracks rat and just an E-2. There was only Regulations and FM's to read. I found an FM 22-100 and read about the 20th Maine at Gettysburg. How to plan with a WarnO, OpOrd, and always a FragO because no plan ever survives it's initial impact with reality. It was the books that I think Gen. John J Wickham put the Army printing presses into over drive. I use that every day and I wish I could perfect it because I know how imperfect I am. But I try and I know I'm not alone. Thank you for posting this and reiterating what we know the truth to be. I got my 10th recall after a plane ran through my office in NYC. We Vets have the lowest labor participation rates at over 50% unemployed. We're NOT damaged. We're survivors and have to accomplish this last mission called life.

[@Dark-Mustang]

You don't need gods in your life to be good. You need to recognize the humanity of others, and acknowledge your time is limited.

[@seijiroukikuoka5975]

Worst yet - working with an actual psychopath. Yes, I've worked with one. She will charm you to no end, but then, all of the above traits come billowing out, but most would be too frightful or too far conditioned to resist. Then, comes the running. I didn't run. But Lt. Col. Littlestone's video here brought me back.

[@adaslesniak]

It's so resonating... I believe most people suffered under bad leadership, but it's not popular topic, like broken heart for example.

[@journeyfurthur6396]

Circumstance doesn’t change your responsibility I’ve recently encountered the most extreme incompetence at my job and I cannot take it anymore. I joked recently how I’m about to put a recognition board in the store for “Most Incompetent” - and unfortunately some people don’t even know what that word means! These kids don’t care about doing a good job or learning how to, there is no pride probably because there was no adequate training from upper management. There is no accountability and anything flies. I came down hard on a merchandiser last week about his poor attitude and extremely poor work that he never showed up in my store again. Good. The incompetence has gotten so out of control it’s become difficult for me to put a lid on it every day. Me seeking a new better job is also difficult, but still working on it.

[@MilitaryMackes]

From personal experience I have been lied to repeatedly by 3 different leaders and It isn't fun to dedicate yourself for months on end only to get thrown in the garbage bin

[@gunslinger2501]

Was paired with poor leaders a few times on active duty, it ruined my prospects and stopped my promotions. Its hard when NO one is in your corner to back you up.

[@dirkwillard5068]

Okay, this is from a former USAF captain to a USA major (?). I retired recently as an engineer. In my career, 40 yrs., I've led and been led on many projects so I've learned a lot about leadership. I have personally led teams up to 30-40 individuals of a variety of skills. I never get into anyone's character. I don't care. (I am an atheist.) I tell everyone in the first mandatory meeting that I expect four things: 1) Technical competence (Tell me you don't know if you don't or ask for more time with a deadline.); 2) Teach me the details of your job to prove your competence but spare me if I can't possibly understand; 3) Don't lie but don't tell me all to tempt me to micro-manage (I told a boss once that I would not tell him anything about something I was working on and not ready to present it to him. I told him I didn't have time to teach him what I know. And, I didn't want him involved in negotiations he hadn't participated in. He got that.) You have to trust that subordinates know their business.4) When it comes to money, the team manager MUST know if a budget is to be stressed. A critical tool of leadership is the one-on-one review. This should be done ever 2 weeks. Honesty is stressed but with the caveats from above. Meetings are spaced far enough apart to allow measurement of progress and even replacement of team members if they prove lazy or incompetent; this also allows time to assess changes. Another tool is the running progress chart. This can be a scope complete line running against a budget line versus time chart. The scope milestones should be developed by the team early in the project. Other resource lines can be added besides scope and budget. This tool does two things: 1) Demand frequent review of resources; 2) Make everyone conscious of the influence this chart has on the Gantt chart. Lastly, a Gantt chart is a must. Gantt allows you to track resources against the fixed schedule. If you Gantt doesn't line up with your running progress chart then you screwed up. I could go on but you get the gist of USAF management style versus USA style. We don't care how many girls you screwed the night before but we do care that you're sober enough to fly the damn plane.

[@davidalfonso8279]

Great video!!! I’m glad you put out there. There a lot of bad leaders who continue to get promoted to SM. especially in the reservist.. I know few of them who were incompetent in their skills….

[@renelaforgia705]

amazing you hit it bang on .I worked in a factory and made mistakes worked long hours but got to be the best .My friend is 1 of the owners and sal another partner. he wanted me out .Paul said the man that works will make mistakes the other is hiding or pretending to work. As time went on I upgraded the place brought up production by over 60%..I had respect and total loyalty of all workers. I earned it by leadership I would say lets do this and explain the plan showing respect .I would mop a clean with them saying follow me. But sal would sabotage it all because they would respect me and paul and do more then what needed . But I could not work with him every time he wouldchange things and it would go bad .Then blame us .I would fix and he takes the creddit .So I left and little by little everyone left.Production went down 80% and company is going belly up.He is what u showed us a bad leader a bad man no bad child

[@crapphone7744]

Training incompetent officers is one of the most important things NCOs do.

[@tomusmc1993]

You have a limited understanding of addictions. Addictive personality traits can be negative, but there are instances where those addictions carry different terms like "driven", "Focused", "relentless ". My guess is that you aren't noticing those addictions.

[@Christopherurich33]

Just like respect is earned

[@fightsports66]

Generally speaking as you say these people don’t change. I am a little older and I have learned that just about the only people who did change from these character flaws are people who got professional help ex: going to drug rehab, alcohol rehab, seeing a marriage counselor. Before someone does any of those things they have to admit they have a problem which means that person has taken the first step of looking at themself.

[@DozSkills]

So I got medically retired a d one of my Soldiers when she was MEB she brought me up and told my previous 1SG that I was the only one that helped her and care for her well being. The 1SG immediately began to say for her never to say my name and talk bad about me. Instead of ever mentoring me when I was in his unit he would avoid me when I was a platoon sergeant. First I thought he just wanted to leave me alone but after that I realized he was intimidated of how the Soldiers loved me and everyone knew I was all about the Soldiers well being.

[@hirumbiffidum9145]

Wow, I'm the first viewer ? If I do what you're describing as a refuse collector/waste hauler I am alone am I have to work with people that use drugs. I may be very good at my job but I DO NOT have leadership skills, qualities, or abilities. But I admit that ... 6:47 YES, that video as well as the video about "sidewalkers, slow laners. And fastlaners" are among the best videos you've created.

[@jpcia260]

As an honor graduate of an Army leadership school (BNCO), and a Retired SrNCO, with years of leadership experience, I know a little about leadership, I'm a little confused as to why you would think its ok to berate a fellow Soldier " I think you are one of the stupidest officers in the Army, and....." and if that's the real photo of said Soldier...... very wrong! Not everyone can be a super trooper.... I like to think we all have value in some way........ I have always been bothered by people who strive to secure their positions and benefits from military service, yet go out of their way to hurt, and deny other of the same......

[@Axvalo]

Great video as always, thank you for giving us the chance of getting this knowledge, Happy father's day! 🎉

[@richbattaglia5350]

The inability to question one’s own actions.

[@Dan-pt2tn]

Localized leadership's lack of pushback against higher command regarding mine, as well as thousands of SM's religious accommodation requests against unwanted, unlawful, and tyrannical procedures being cast upon us recently was a combination of all 5 of these characteristics. A leader's priorities are supposed to be to their subordinates over their superiors. I've been enlisted since 2009 and I've never had less trust and confidence that my chain of command is going to do what needs to be done for their soldiers. It's one thing if you believed everything the government was telling you without thinking twice about it. But I know for a fact the majority of my chain was against everything yet still caved and left soldiers to fend for themselves against the DOD. The way I watched every single level from squad leaders all the way up to the battalion commander bend their knees in fear for themselves instead of at least assisting the SMs fighting the fight they were too weak to is nauseating. Although the few who held the line ended up toppling the house of cards in the end, from an Army point of view, I've seen new and senior leaders recite the Soldier's Creed, NCO Creed, Oath of Commission, Oath of Enlistment, the seven army values, the general orders, etc for years on end only to instantly disregard all of that at the first sign of adversity. My view of service members' values and character as a whole took insurmountable damage from this. It's like almost the entirety of the Army was fake from the beginning and I just never realized. I'm not sure I'll ever look at the Army I've deployed for the same way again. Great video as always.

[@scotteric8711]

Thank you for your comment. Like you, I stood by and watched as thousands of SM's caved to something clearly illegal and politicized. Now a SM dies often in garrison, and nobody talks about it. Nobody wants to admit they were wrong. Nobody shows any bit of remorse for forcing their subordinates to do it, and did not give those of discernment a voice. And these people think they deserve especial trust and confidence? The views of the Organization will change, mine will stay with me serving the people I swore to. Not an Oligarchy. Sine Pari.

[@mkrafts8519]

The DoD is running a demoralization campaign on purpose to thin down the military swell caused by the 9/11 wars. You are not wanted.

[@chillestplays4034]

Phenomenal video. Just discovered your channel. Great content.

[@brett.c1649]

Bad leader sacrificing subordinates lives for personal glory

[@Boradus7]

I have a privilege of numerous staff regarding me as the "best boss" from experience. 1. Value differences - from this you gain deferent perspective. 2. Always look for the variety of staff and opinions! 3. Empower your staff to make the right decisions and don't micro mange them. 4. Seek the opinions of others and look for that value - they may know better than you do. 5. Realize your opinion is not the single correct path to success. 6. A leader recognizes their opinion or solution is not the only path to success.

[@b.santos8804]

The worst boss I ever had was a total empty shirt. He couldn't make a decision to piss his pants if his trousers were on fire. He was never present for large projects that required his presence and ostensible leadership. He avoided any responsibility like the plague. On top of it all he was a humorless martinet who liked to scold anyone who wanted to bring a little lightness and levity to our workplace. The only reason i think he got that role was seniority.

[@tenkill]

I believe that one other flaw in leadership is absolutism. Being inflexible. Forgiveness, being humble, admitting you were wrong to superiors and those under you, and being compassionate. Don't confuse being prudent with being a coward. Don't confused being reserved with being lazy. Understand that everyone around you is not perfect... especially yourself. Accept and recognize that sometimes your fist, second and sometimes even third impressions may be wrong.

[@stealthboy5767]

I want to be an officer in the army. I don't have a degree yet, but im still young and want to try. This video was an eye opener, thank you.

[@abdullaali3735]

If you train and reach good level of physical, phycological, mental all together spirit, certainty you will live truth always, and living the truth always will be total honesty

[@beretverde8669]

Paul Thorn former 20th Special Forces- BAD LEADER/character flaws!

[@blues03]

Loved the video. Made me feel...bitter. That's just reality reminding me that it's still there.

[@OneEyedLion]

I grew up with a pair of bad leaders. The worst characteristics were blaming others and not listening. Sometimes I ask myself, what would they do and then do the opposite.

[@TonyMoze]

Man such a good channel!

[@GlidingZephyr]

I've seen aspects of these traits in almost every profession that I've held. Ironically, the best job that I've ever had (in terms of co-worker behavior and capable leadership) was at a Grocery Store, more than 20 years ago. After I left that behind, I quickly realized what I was missing. Although even if I had remained there, I doubt that I would be earning as much money as I am, now. I've been a factory worker who processes hose products mainly for hydraulic and pneumatic systems for almost 10 years, now. Some of which go to manufacturing contracts for military vehicles. To clarify, I never joined the military. Not for lack of trying, however. In 2010 I tried to enlist in the Army with every intention of staying in until retirement, but I was stopped at the medical screening. (They didn't like that I had taken Ritalin and antidepressants before adulthood.) No harm, no foul. I've seen both excellent and terrible leaders of all stripes, veteran or not. But right now my workplace is in a very good spot when it comes to supervisory or management staff. The floor leads are a mixed bag, but that's just life.

[@Monkemodenigga]

Hey they are hurting super bad foe people. Ive seen 39 year olds get in on waivwrs. Try again man ! Go SIGINT. Its tight

[@thelaw4654]

Straight to the point.

[@Jake-rs2tr]

One of my biggest flaws is hesitance. I needed a second job, but I didn't get to it immediately. At my full-time job, I will choose to stand and catch my breath for a few seconds before I help a coworker. I will find something else to do instead of what I don't want to do, but thankfully, I have to do it anyway. I am putting this out there for those like me. I still got my second job, I still go to help coworkers, and I still do what I don't want to. It is all still getting done even if I am not enthused to do so. I am better than I was a while a go. I am going to keep improving. If I can improve, then by God, anyone can

[@covertops19Z]

This is a Great Brief, BRAVO ZULU!! And SPOT ON!!! Me.. Almost 28 years in uniform, both Navy and Army and then almost 16 years as a Dept of. The Army Civilian (DAC), man can I related.. Especially in the DAC force. I was appalled at the Deadbeats who advanced up the GS promotion scale.. Where as WG workers were looked at as unwashed but necessary employees..

[@bjorntrollgesicht1144]

Hello fellow leader! So about sharing information, the point is that often an information would be damaging to morale (for example shit the command does and you have to sell), or the issue is complex and disclosing it would get the people to have a wrong idea and naturally create misinformation. Or it's personal. In a nutshell, it is our job to filter information and present them in a way, they won't damage the organization. As leaders we are responsible for the health of both. The people are creative, they gossip and insinuate- you have little control on what they come up with, so if you aren't good at explaining or you know it will damage cohesion, it's sometimes better to shut up. It is however very very bad to outright lie, as that shows what you think of your subordinates- and they *will* know. In business I see laziness differently- the obligation has to be mutual. If the company is not worth your effort, you only give as much as you are given. Another is energy- no matter how good you are, it will drop, deplete and turn you into a frustrated drone. A good leader prevents that- they teach their people to take care of themselves and never give 100% at all times- only when it is required and only for a short time and only if the problem is worth the concentrated effort. People don't take care of themselves and companies encourage and reward that kind of behaviour, think it's good. It's not- a well rested, relaxed subordinate who knows their limits will do a far better job than the overambitious yes man who would just gut himself and spread toxicity.

[@bradschwamberger1217]

Great honest video. I have one more. When I went through Air Force basic training my squadron's moto was, Lead, follow or get out of the way.