As I have studied careers, business, and management over the years, I have come up with four personality types of leadership. The first is positive, the next two are neutral to negative, and the fourth is a disaster.
The first management personality type is the manager who wanted to be the boss, and once there, likes being the boss. This personality type is normally very qualified for the job. They have a comfort level around their employees and around their peers. This is a very effective manager.
The second and more neutral personality is one that wanted to be the boss, but once there, hates it. They campaigned or pursued the job for much of their career, and in fact may have spent many years preparing for it. But, once there, for some reason they found that they really dislike or hate the job. Maybe they don’t like the politics. Maybe they don’t like dealing with or directing people, maybe they were very good at the job they had, but found management was not what they thought. This manager is effective, but not great.
The third management personality is also neutral to negative. This boss who doesn’t want to be the boss, but once there finds that they actually like it. For example, they like the trappings of power and the perks, but don’t really feel qualified for the position. This person is not very effective because while they love the job, they don’t really perform well.
The last, and most disastrous manager is the one that never wanted to be boss, and hates the job. This is the boss that was forced to take the job because they were there the longest or were quite possibly the most qualified. But, they never tried for it, and were comfortable doing whatever they were doing before they became the boss, and once there, they hated it. This manager stays in his office, and the office just seem to run itself.
The goal for you is to either be the first personality type, or minimally one of the next two. If you are not in management, you need to hopefully find a manager who seems to want to be the boss and actually enjoys being the boss and is happy. If not, run, because that miserable boss will make the rest of the office even more miserable.
Hope this helps!!
If you have any questions, feel free to email me at mike.anderson@directyourcareer.com.