The phrase, “fair-weather friend” is commonly applied to someone who is dependable only in good times…when things are going well. This type of friend disappoints and disappears when rainy days filled with hard times, strife and stress come. A “fair-weather friend” turns away when you need him or her most [...]

There’s a line in the movie G.I. Jane where one of the characters says to the heroine, “When I want to know your opinion, I’ll tell you.” Unfortunately, this describes too many managers who think they are leading but in reality are only bullying the people who work for them. This type of leadership bully comes in all sizes, shapes and genders. Their main thrust is to tell others what to think and usually this means having the same viewpoint as the leadership bully. These people don’t seem to understand that telling someone what to think is not the same as listening to someone express their own reasoned opinions.

How often do we see this kind of leadership in our own organizations? A person in a leadership position who because of that position, slows down or stops the progress of anyone that happens to be under their leadership. We see these people in all levels of an organization; they are leaders that are only concerned for their own progress, no matter what impact their brand of leadership has on those who are “required to follow.” [...]