15 Signs Your Boss Doesn’t Know What He’s Doing

Some bosses are great. They have all the answers and are always on top of things. Others are, well, not so great. Signs your boss doesn’t know what he’s doing are apparent, so tackle them.

Some bosses hide their incompetence behind a veneer of busyness. While some act like they know what’s going on, others show their true colours.

15 Subtle Signs Your Boss Doesn’t Know What He’s Doing

If your boss is the one who is easy to read, here are some signs that they don’t know what they’re doing:

1. They Constantly Ask For Help:

Constantly asking for help is one of the signs your boss doesn’t know what he’s doing.

If they can’t figure out how to do something, they will not be able to solve the problem.

Some bosses try to hide this by asking for help from their subordinates. For instance, they may say, “Can you show me how to do this?” Or, “What would you do in this situation?”

It is reasonable for a boss to ask for help from time to time. However, if they constantly need assistance, it’s a sign they’re in over their heads.

Sometimes, a boss will ask for help because they’re too proud to admit they don’t know something. However, this is not always the case.

Some bosses don’t know what they’re doing. And they need help to get things done.

2. Your Boss Is Always Behind Schedule:

Being behind schedule means your boss doesn’t know how to manage their time correctly.

It could also indicate that they’re not prioritizing tasks correctly. As a result, things that should be done first are getting pushed back.

They don’t know how to delegate tasks either. This is a huge problem because your boss is trying to do everything themselves.

And we all know that’s not possible. If your boss is always behind schedule, it’s a sign they’re not in control of their work.

And when it is time for a performance review, this will reflect poorly on them. But some bosses put the entire blame on their subordinates.

They behave as if it’s everyone else’s fault that things aren’t getting done. This is unfair and shows that your boss doesn’t know what they’re doing.

3. Your Boss Is Indecisive:

Indecisiveness is another sign your boss doesn’t know what they’re doing. They can’t make decisions because they’re unsure of the outcome.

This results in your boss constantly changing their mind. They may give you one task to do, only to change their mind and give you another.

Or, they may give you instructions on how to do something, only to change their mind later. This can be highly frustrating for employees.

It’s also a waste of time. They don’t realize that by changing their mind always, they’re only slowing down progress.

And when the time comes for the team to make a decision, your boss may not have any input.

They’re still trying to figure out what they want may be the reason. And that can lead to disastrous consequences.

4. Your Boss Is Disorganized:

A disorganized boss is a nightmare. They’re constantly losing things, forgetting deadlines, and mixing up appointments.

This is because they don’t have a system to keep track of their work. As a result, they’re always playing catch-up.

This can be highly stressful for employees. They never know what’s going to happen next. And it’s hard to get work done when your boss constantly changes things.

Some bosses try to hide their disorganization by being micromanagers. They want to control everything that’s going on.

However, this only makes things worse. It makes employees feel like they’re not trusted to do their job. And it leads to even more stress.

5. Your Boss Is Always In Their Office:

If your boss is always in their office, it’s a sign that they’re avoiding their employees. They may fear what they’ll discover if they talk to their team.

Or, they may be afraid to admit they don’t know what they’re doing. Either way, it’s not a good sign.

A boss is always in their office and is not accessible to their employees. And that can lead to a feeling of isolation.

Some bosses may think they’re being efficient by always working in their office. But in reality, they’re not.

They’re missing out on opportunities to interact with their team. And they’re not getting the feedback they need to improve their work.

6. Your Boss Is Secretive:

A secretive boss is someone who doesn’t like to share information. They may be afraid that their employees will find out that they don’t know what they’re doing.

Or, they may be worried that their employees will use the information against them.

A secretive boss is not open to communication. And that can lead to a lot of problems.

For one, it makes it difficult for employees to do their job. They may not have all the information they need to make decisions.

And it can lead to a feeling of mistrust. Employees may feel like their boss is hiding something from them.

7. Your Boss Is Always Complaining:

If your boss is always complaining, it’s a sign that they’re unhappy with the job. And since they are not trying to make any changes, it shows they don’t know what they’re doing.

A complaining boss is also a negative influence on their employees. All the complaining can make employees feel down and unmotivated.

It can also make them lose respect for their boss. After all, why should they respect someone who is always complaining?

8. Your Boss Never Delegates Work As Per Skills:

A suitable boss delegates tasks as per the skills of their employees. They know that not everyone is good at everything.

And they’re not afraid to delegate tasks accordingly. However, a bad boss will try to do everything themselves.

Or, they’ll delegate tasks randomly without considering the skills of their employees.

This can lead to a lot of problems. Employees may end up feeling like they’re not good enough. Or, they may feel like their boss doesn’t trust them to do the job.

Some bosses may think that they’re being efficient by not delegating work. But in reality, they’re not.

They’re just creating more work for themselves. And, they’re preventing their employees from developing their skills.

9. Your Boss Is Always Making Excuses:

If your boss is constantly making excuses, it’s a sign that they’re not taking responsibility for their actions.

They may be trying to cover up their mistakes. Or, they may be trying to avoid doing work.

A boss who is constantly making excuses is not accountable for their actions. It makes it difficult for employees to trust them.

Without trust, it isn’t easy to get work done. Employees may feel like they’re not getting respect. And they may start looking for a new job.

10. Your Boss Is Always Asking For Favors:

Favours are a part of life. But, if your boss is always asking for favours, it’s a sign that they’re not doing their job.

They may be asking you to do things that are outside of your job description. Or, they may be asking you to do unethical things.

A boss who is always asking for favours is not respecting your time. And they’re not respecting your boundaries.

And they certainly don’t deserve your respect. Their behaviour is self-serving and manipulative. And it’s not conducive to a healthy work environment.

11. They Are Unprofessional:

Unprofessionalism is a sign of incompetence. If your boss is unprofessional, it’s one of the signs they don’t know what they’re doing.

They may dress inappropriately, use offensive language, or behave in a way that is not appropriate for the workplace.

Unprofessionalism is also a sign of disrespect. It shows that your boss doesn’t respect you or the workplace.

Their manners and behaviour are unacceptable. And, it’s not a good environment to work in.

12.They’re Not Willing To Learn:

A boss who is unwilling to learn is not open to new ideas. They’re stuck in their ways, and they’re not willing to change.

This can be a big problem. After all, the world is constantly changing. And, if your boss is unwilling to learn, they will fall behind.

They’re also not open to feedback. And this can make it challenging to improve the work environment.

A boss who is not willing to learn will not be successful. And their employees will suffer as a result.

13. You’re Never Sure What They’re Going To Do Next:

If you’re never sure what your boss will do next, it’s a sign that they’re not in control.

They may be impulsive and make decisions without thinking them through. Or, they may be indecisive and unable to make decisions.

After all, employees need stability. And they need to know that their boss is in control.

Without stability, it isn’t easy to get work done. Employees may feel like they’re in a constant state of flux.

14. They’re Only Interested In Themselves:

A boss who is only interested in themselves is not interested in their employees. They’re only interested in their own needs and their own goals.

They don’t know what they’re doing. They’re not interested in developing their employees. And, they’re not interested in the success of the company.

Their only goal is to serve their own needs. And that’s not what a boss should be doing.

This is a huge problem. Employees need to feel like they’re valued. They need to feel like their boss cares about them.

15. They’re Always Yelling:

Yelling is a way to control people. It’s a way to get people to do what you want. But, it’s not a way to lead.

A boss who is always yelling is not in control of their emotions. They’re not able to have a calm, rational conversation.

And they’re not able to resolve conflict constructively. Yelling is a sign of weakness, not strength.

It ensures the boss always tries to blame someone else for their problems. And, that’s not a healthy work environment.

Final Word:

Signs your boss doesn’t know what they’re doing can be subtle. But, if you’re noticing these signs, taking action is essential.

After all, your boss should be leading the company. And, if they’re not doing their job, it’s going to have a negative impact on the company.

If you’re not sure what to do, talk to HR. They can help you assess the situation and take appropriate action.

Last Updated on 11 hours by Shahzaib Arshad