3 good reasons employees hate the boss

So much of career advice is dedicated to telling employees how to do a better job.

But what about bosses?

Here are the top three reasons why you’re the reason your employees aren’t doing their jobs.

Tip No. 1: You have no idea what you’re doing

1. More from TODAY.com
   1. Justin Bieber allegedly batters photographer
      

      On Sunday, Justin Bieber's squeaky-clean reputation took a hit as the singer allegedly launched into a physical altercatio...

   2. Iraq veteran calls VetDog 'life changing'
   3. Bobby Brown sings for Memorial Day crowd
   4. 'Noah's Ark' built to save frogs in peril
   5. Jilted groom suing for $61K: ‘I tried to be a nice guy’

Sure, you held this position before, but at another company and in entirely another field. When it comes to this category, you have no idea what you’re doing. Fortunately for you, you talk a good game, and the job was long overdue to be filled. You scored the gig, you negotiated a great salary, and now it’s up to you to deliver what you promised.

So what’s the problem? You’ve got no experience doing this particular thing in this particular way, and instead of humbling yourself to those (below you) who do know what they’re doing, you’re going to attempt to BS your way through it. The problem is both you and everyone who works for you are keenly aware your ignorance is causing performance to drop. Too bad you won’t fill up all the awkward silences in the meeting with an admission from you that everyone in the company knows more about what it takes to be a success than you.

Tip No. 2: You’re a jerk

Damn, you’re good. You climbed up the ladder, and now you’re at the top. OK, not the very top, but suffice to say you wear a suit when you go to work. You’re smart, you’re well-read and the suit is bespoke.

Here’s the issue: You’re a pig. You’re better known for saying inappropriate things around the office than you are delivering outstanding results. You’re boorish, foul-mouthed, crass. You never listen, conversations with you are like driving down a one-way road named after you, and your door is never open, literally or metaphorically.

According to you, the fact that you’re a jerk doesn’t matter. After all, you’re not exactly screwing up professionally. But even though your employees professionally respect you, they personally dislike you, and, as a consequence, their performance is sub-par. You’re no leader, no office-tower hero, and because those who work for you don’t feel for you, they’d rather kick back than go all out for you.

Tip No. 3: You’re a space-case

Didn’t we ask you for that information a month ago? Weren’t we supposed to have that meeting this week? Why are you always late? You’re supposed to be their fearless leader, but instead you’d rather not stand for anything. Occupy Wall Street? You’d prefer close the door and occupy your office. You say one thing, then another, and every directive is overturned down the line by you. Your employees are exhibiting symptoms of schizophrenia because working for you feels like driving down a dark road while blindfolded.

Maybe if you’d stop talking on the phone and start executing a strategy, your employees could learn something. Maybe if you stopped waffling and started taking charge, revenue would increase. Maybe if left your personal issues at the door and acted like your title, we’d all be happier.

More from Forbes.com

• Putting ‘employee motivation’ in its place
• Why your employees are leaving
• Are you ready for your most valued employees to leave?
• Measuring happiness
• Are your employees getting happy feet?