Are You Leading Strong—Or Just Getting By?
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I’ve never liked the phrase “bad leaders.” To me, bad leaders aren’t really leaders. But broken leaders? That’s different.
I know because I was one.
I didn’t have a natural instinct for leadership. My views were shaped by an unavailable mother and a series of bad bosses who taught me all the wrong things. I had to unlearn behaviors, rewrite my own leadership playbook, and be intentional about everything.
That’s why I don’t judge broken leaders—I see them. I’ve been them. And I know that what’s broken can be fixed.
The question is: Are you willing to see where you might be falling short?
Here are five types of broken leaders—and how to make sure you’re not one of them:
I.
The Trust Breaker
🔥 "I trust you," they say. But broken leaders kill trust daily.
It’s not always dramatic betrayals that erode trust. It’s the small things—saying one thing, doing another. Changing course without explanation. Making exceptions for favorites. Trust isn’t built in grand gestures—it’s built in the micro-moments where people decide: Can I count on you?
💡 Try This: Before you tell someone you trust them, ask yourself: Would my actions prove it?
II.
The Feedback Faker
🔥 "My door is always open." Broken leaders say this. Then hide.
They claim to welcome feedback, but the moment it gets real, they get defensive. Or worse, they punish people for speaking up. Real leaders don’t just allow feedback—they create the conditions where honesty thrives.
💡 Try This: If no one is giving you hard feedback, you haven’t earned their trust. Start asking: What’s one thing I could do better? And mean it.
III.
The Empathy Actor
🔥 "I understand," they nod. Broken leaders only pretend to care.
Empathy isn’t just about listening—it’s about doing something with what you heard. Surface-level sympathy without action is empty. People know when you’re faking it.
💡 Try This: Instead of saying "I understand," ask: "What do you need from me?" Then follow through.
IV.
The Decision Dodger
🔥 Decisions aren’t hard. Broken leaders make them impossible.
Fear, overthinking, endless meetings—it all adds up to a leader who won’t take a stand. When leaders hesitate, teams stall. Momentum dies. And frustration grows.
💡 Try This: If a decision has been sitting on your desk for too long, ask: What am I afraid of? Then move forward anyway.
V.
The Time Thief
🔥 Time isn’t the problem. Broken leaders just waste it.
Back-to-back meetings with no clear purpose. Long email chains that go nowhere. Making everything urgent—so nothing really is. Leadership is about focus. Wasting people’s time is just another way of telling them they don’t matter.
💡 Try This: Before your next meeting, ask: Could this be handled in a two-minute voice memo? If the answer is yes, cancel the meeting.
The Fix Starts With You.
The hardest part of leadership isn’t learning—it’s unlearning.
Which of these broken habits have you fallen into? Be honest. The good news? You can fix it. And when you do, you don’t just become a better leader—you create a culture where everyone around you can thrive.
What’s the one leadership habit you’re working to break right now? Hit reply and let me know.
Your coach,
Chris
P.S. ♻️ If this resonated with you, forward it to someone who needs to hear it. Let’s get better together.
