Being a leader means that your people observe you and your behaviors in order to decide whether they follow you, stay engaged, quietly quit, or leave!

So, the question is; what are your people observing about you that is shaping your team culture in a negative way?

Below is a list of behaviors that could indicate whether YOU might be leaning towards the back end of a horse.

9 Signs You Might Be a Horse’s Ass:

1. You tell your people that you trust them, but then you micro-manage and involve yourself in all the details of their work.
2. You tell your people to get results and when they give you valid reasons (not excuses) for what their bumping up against, you say, not my problem or everybody has problems…figure it out!
3. You make changes and cuts before you know or understand the impact on the business because you think cutting all costs will solve all of your problems.
4. You nod but don’t listen to others when they share their thoughts because you believe your knowledge and experience is so much greater.
5. You’ve disciplined others for something they have seen you do.
6. You take any form of feedback as a personal attack, and so you retaliate either outwardly or passive-aggressively.
7. When your team doesn’t hit their targets, you blame them and never look at what you might be doing that contributes to the lack of success.
8. Your motto or your company motto is that your people are your greatest asset, but your actions say the exact opposite.
9. You’ve heard or you know deep down inside that you and your behaviors need to change. And yet, you continue doing the same thing regardless of whether it has a negative impact on others?

Buy a Saddle

A mentor once told me that if one person calls you a horses’ ass…it’s probably okay to ignore them. If two people tell you, you’re a horses’ ass… you should probably pay attention. But if three people tell you you’re a horse’s ass…buy a saddle!

If you struggle with two or more of the examples I shared you…. might want to buy a saddle. There is a good chance your people do not trust you and you are out of  integrity as a leader.

By the way, integrity, honesty, and transparency are the top 3 characteristics your people want from you.

I guess a good question might be: so what if you discover you’re kind of a horses’ butt, what can you do about it?

3 Choices If You Discover You’re a Horse’s Ass:

1. Continue riding your horse into the sunset till it collapses, it’s just a matter of time and you probably have less than you think.
2. Quit – yes same as #1 but quicker and you will save yourself and your people a lot of time, pain, & aggravation.
3. Change…learn a new way to lead and get back in alignment with who you truly are and what it takes to be a great leader. Need help? (click here)

You know sometimes we just need to hear things straight from the horse’s mouth! 

There have been numerous times throughout my life when I needed to buy a saddle. It wasn’t what I wanted to hear, but it is what I needed to hear at that moment in time. I just needed to swallow my pride and let go of my ego which isn’t always easy!

I guess that’s better than being told you act more like the back of the horse!

But that all depends on what you do with the awareness!