Leadership skills are mostly inherent, but it can be acquired from experience and examples. Here, we present 10 thongs to avoid to be a complete disaster as a leader.

1. How not to be a shit as a leader:
10 things to avoid
Dr A. Barai
MBBS, MRCS Ed, MSc (Critical Care)
Registrar in Emergency Medicine

2. Introduction
• Everyone is a leader at certain times or the other. Be
it in a family gathering, work place, queue in the
train station or even in a football match on the alley
road.
• A leader can make a huge difference in the team
• Wrong strategy can be a disaster
• Leadership skills are mostly acquired

3. Who is a leader?
• Someone who is a team member at first
• Someone who can motivate others
• Someone who knows how to appreciate others
• Someone who can take responsibilities
• Someone whom others can trust
• Someone who does not run away

4. Pitfalls of being a leader
• Can be stressful
• Can be challenging
• Can be less rewarding if you fail
• May have to face criticism
• May be premature if not fully prepared

5. Things to avoid: 1
Try not be the Boss.

6. • The reality is that the subordinates don’t like the
Boss.
• In fact, they hate the Boss.
• A Boss is like a monkey at the top of a tree. When he
looks down he can see smiley faces of monkeys
below. But those monkeys below when look up can
only see the bare bottom of the Boss at the top of
the tree.
• However, if the boss becomes a team member, they
become co-operative and helpful.

7. Things to avoid: 2
Don’t order other.

8. • Nobody likes to be ordered.
• Instead, a gentle request can do the magic.
• Authority can still be maintained even after being
gentle.

9. Things to avoid: 3
Never insult or humiliate others.

10. • You don’t like to be insulted or humiliated.
• Same is true for the juniors or subordinates.
• Insult reduces motivation and concentration.
• Only a stupid ‘Leader’ will insult juniors.
• If you want the team to succeed, encourage them.
• Be very diplomatic when you give feedback.

11. Things to avoid: 4
Never be indecisive.

12. • The best leader can take crucial decisions at
appropriate time.
• All others look at you as a leader to lead the team.
• If you hesitate, others will lose respect and trust on
you.

13. Things to avoid:5
Don’t expect undue respect

14. • Respect is an inherent capability of a human being.
• Everyone will use it if you deserve it.
• Your work and attitude will get you the respect from
others.
• You don’t have to ask for it.

15. Things to avoid: 6
Don’t be isolated from the team

16. • Ask for suggestions and ideas from everyone in the
team.
• Do it with honesty and sincerity.
• 10 brains can do a better job than 1 brain.
• To listen to others is an art. Master the art. You will
see the difference.

17. Things to avoid: 7
Never run away

18. • As a leader, the team wants you to lead from the
front.
• Show them your own examples.
• Create ideal situation and scenarios.

19. Things to avoid: 8
Don’t dump responsibility to others

20. • It will be counter-productive to blame others for the
failures.
• The wise thing to do is to give credit to the team for
any success and take the blame for failures.
• That will motivate the team.
• Success will be the end result.

21. Things to avoid: 9
Don’t be mean

22. • If you are generous to the team, success will follow.
• Give them rewards for their achievements.
• Appreciate generously for every little achievement.
• Never bag the credits to your own pocket, share it
among the whole team.

23. Things to avoid: 10
Never show your frustrations

24. • There will be ups and downs in professional or
personal life.
• The whole team will look at you and follow you.
• If you show your frustrations, their moral power will
be reduced.
• End result a complete mess and failure.

25. Conclusion
• It’s very easy to be a complete disaster as a
leader.
• By avoiding a few simple things, one can
become a successful leader who can be an
asset to the company, the team and the
institution.

26. Thank you.
drbarai@gmail.com