We all know the old saying: “People don’t quit companies, they quit managers.” But how can you identify that “manager trap” before you’re the one updating your CV?
The answer often lies in employee feedback on sites like Glassdoor. Repeated negative reviews highlight four main themes of poor leadership that can turn even a dream job into a nightmare. Whether you’re job-hunting or just assessing your current workplace, spotting these patterns is essential.
1. The Communication & Vision Blackout
Great companies are built on trust; poor leaders break it with silence and inconsistency. Employees often feel directionless when leadership doesn’t communicate honestly and strategically.
- Lack of Clear Vision: Senior management is criticized for lacking a cohesive strategy, leading to frequent changes in priorities and giving the impression that the company is a “sinking ship.”
- Poor Communication: Reviews highlight a significant disconnect, with managers expecting teams to “read their minds” and failing to communicate important company changes or goals effectively.
- Lack of transparency: Secrecy surrounding performance metrics, policy changes, or the reasons behind layoffs quickly undermines trust.
💡 Resource Spotlight on Communication & Vision:
2. Incompetence & The Accountability Dodge
This theme highlights a deficiency in essential management skills, often caused by poor promotion practices and an unwillingness to accept mistakes.
- Incompetent Senior Management: Employees often highlight a lack of skill or experience, frequently referencing the Peter Principle (being promoted beyond their level of competence) and ineffective decision-making.
- Avoiding Accountability: Leaders are perceived as failing to take responsibility for problems, instead shifting blame or responsibilities onto lower-level employees for systemic issues.
- Micro-management without guidance: Reviews describe a supervisory style in which leaders are constantly present (micromanaging) but fail to provide the resources, constructive feedback, or actionable support needed for success.
💡 Resource Spotlight on Accountability & Competence:
3 The Toxic Culture Builder
This is the most concerning theme, outlining leadership that intentionally fosters a hostile or disrespectful work environment.
- Toxic Leadership: Reviewers use terms like “toxic culture” and “evil management,” indicating an environment where employees feel threatened, disrespected, or “ruled by fear.”
- Favouritism and Nepotism: Complaints indicate that promotions and favourable assignments are based on “being buddy-buddy with the CEO” or other forms of favouritism, rather than merit.
- Disregard for Well-being: Leadership faces criticism for demanding long hours without considering work-life balance or employees’ mental health, often viewing staff as expendable.
💡 Resource Spotlight on Toxic Culture & Treatment:
. Stagnation and Resource Hoarding
Poor leadership ultimately hinders your growth, leaving employees feeling trapped and unprepared.
- No Career Development: Leaders are seen as unwilling to invest in their employees, with comments about a lack of professional growth, insufficient training, or management’s belief that current staff “aren’t qualified” for promotion.
- Inadequate Resources: Complaints indicate managers are not providing basic tools and support for their teams, leading to a” sink or swim” situation.
💡 Resource Spotlight on Resources & Support:
The Takeaway for You
When evaluating a company, don’t focus solely on the salary. Look for specific patterns in reviews—one negative review is insignificant; a recurring pattern across multiple reviews signals a serious issue. Use the resources above to learn how to spot these common problems and navigate past them.
