Fake Leaders vs. Real Leaders: How to Tell If Your Boss is a Fraud (Or If You Are One)

For instance, a fake leader (fake meaning not as authentic as they could be) is likely to always remind everyone about their “open door” policy and talk about it immensely, yet positively, no one has managed a way of going through it - even once.  Authentic (real) leaders in practice actually do open those doors, and take the time to listen, hear and help.   

Fake Leader: Fake leaders hides behind "core values" yet doesn't demonstrates or lead by example, or doesn't provide the appropriate behaviours that demonstrate what good looks like against these core values.  Its for show more than for consistency and change.  Questions when you don't act like him/her! 

Real Leader: Real leaders are known to give and accept a bitter pill; the truth, all the time since their juniors soon come to learn the phoniness.  Authentic ownership and conversations without manipulation.

Fake Leader: Will steal the show when the team has won and messages you be it is on SMS or email when they have lost. All glory, little substance.

Real Leader: Will lift up the team, take into account what went wrong and the errors made and won’t view responsibility as punishment.   Errors happen, and they coach accordingly commending the efforts attempted. 

Fake Leader: Confuses "feedback" with opinion.   Hasn't quite understood the assignment that how they personally feel or assume about you doesn't play into the equation of leading and guiding you  - giving feedback should be constructive and linked to something you've done, that maybe you could do better.   

Fake Leader: Doesn't practice what they preach - shares articles for their teams to read yet does the opposite of what they are inferring you should do. 

Real Leader: Appreciates the fact that crises are normal in any given organization and focuses on managing them rather than playing a blame game.

Fake Leader:  Engages only when it suits their needs, or if micromanagement is in need, involving themselves in your world under the guise of helping, yet it clearly sends the message that the process and people aren't fully trusted.

Use these as your self-reflection guides to help you start your journey to who you really are as a leader - this isn't about shaming you into submission - this is about helping you wake the fuck up so you can be the leader you should be, or already think you are.   Even better, demonstrate your leadership courage and ask your teams what they really get from you.   See if anyone is willing to tell you the truth?   Can you tell if they are?