Signs and Sounds of a Weak Senior Manager

In the corporate world those who become senior managers may not actually be deserving of it. Owing to loyalty to the top man in the organization some people become senior managers in such an organization. And quite ridiculously they may be asked to look after a department about which they have absolutely no clue.

This might lead to a case for example where a finance person becomes head of admin. This results in an organization structure which is artificially propped on the back of an old boys club. In such an organization professionalism and competency have no place.

Such organizations are also perfect breeding grounds for a weak senior manager. These are the people who have no spine and who can never take a stand. In case someone raises a point they are more than willing to lie down prostrate and let others run them down. The weakness is a result of competency and manifests itself in several ways.

So what are the typical sights and sounds of a weak manager. Here are some examples:

• Such a manager tries to avoid any confrontation whatsoever
• Such a manager never supports her team
• Such a manager can never take a stand
• Such a manager fails to create trust and respect in those who report into him

Reporting into a weak manager especially combined with the old boys club syndrome in the organization (where quite ridiculously they may be asked to look after a department about which they have absolutely no clue) is a frustrating experience to say the least. The best advise for people stuck with a weak manager is - just quit and do it fast!