The Weight of a Bad Leader: When Insecurity Drives Leadership

How many of you have had a bad leader? I hate to admit it, but I’ve come across plenty of people in leadership positions who never should have been there. Some would have been better off staying as analysts or subject matter experts roles where their skills truly shine. But leadership? 

That was never their strength........................

Sure, everyone deserves the chance to grow, but let’s be honest some people simply aren’t meant to lead and that is ok.

My thoughts on this!!!!

Leadership is often described as a guiding light. Someone who uplifts, inspires, and supports growth in those around them. But what happens when a leader does the opposite? When their leadership is fueled not by vision or integrity, but by insecurity and self-preservation? Many of us have experienced a bad leader the one who steps on the shoulders of others just to be seen, who takes credit for ideas that aren’t theirs, and who seems more threatened by your skills than appreciative of them.

A leader like this creates an environment where talent is stifled rather than nurtured. You bring forth new ideas, ones that could benefit the team, the company, or the mission at hand only to watch them be dismissed in the moment and then later repackaged as the leader’s own. There’s no recognition, no collaboration, just a blatant act of theft disguised as leadership. 

Over time, you begin to wonder: is it worth speaking up if your contributions only serve to boost someone else’s image?

The real damage of a bad leader isn’t just in the frustration of stolen ideas or unacknowledged efforts. It’s in the erosion of trust, the dampening of morale, and the slow but steady silencing of voices that once carried confidence. A workplace led by fear, competition, and insecurity becomes toxic, leaving skilled individuals questioning their worth, their future, and their place in the organization. Those who could contribute the most are left doubting themselves, not because they lack capability, but because their leader thrives on making others feel small to maintain control.

What’s particularly insidious about these types of leaders is their deep-seated fear of being overshadowed; and I have seen this in my career in more ways than I would like. Bottom line, instead of recognizing talent as an asset, they see it as a threat. Your experience, your reputation, your ability to navigate challenges effortlessly; unsettles them. They don’t see your strengths as something to embrace but as something to suppress. In their eyes, your growth means their demise, so they work behind the scenes to diminish your influence, to keep you in check, and to ensure that you never rise beyond where they allow you to.

This kind of leadership doesn’t just affect individuals it affects entire teams and organizations. When a leader prioritizes their own visibility over the success of their people, they create a culture where ambition is punished, where silence is rewarded, and where mediocrity thrives. The best employees the ones with vision, with innovation, with the drive to push boundaries either leave or shrink themselves to fit into a mold that ensures they won’t be seen as a threat. And when the best voices go quiet, progress stalls.

So, what can you do if you find yourself under this kind of leadership? 

The answer isn’t simple. 

You can document your ideas, ensure you have a record of your contributions, and seek out allies who recognize your value. You can try to navigate around the insecurity, working strategically to have your work acknowledged without triggering defensive reactions. But at some point, you have to ask yourself: is this a battle worth fighting? 

Some environments aren’t meant to be fixed. Some leaders won’t change. And sometimes, the best thing you can do for yourself is to step away and find a place where your skills aren’t seen as a threat, but as the asset they truly are.

A bad leader may hold power for a while, but real leadership isn’t about control it’s about empowerment. And the ones who thrive by stepping on others? They eventually fall.

Lorn Berry, 

"Reflections on bad leaders in 2025"