15 Clear Signs Your Boss Is Too Indecisive

Signs your boss is too indecisive can be so frustrating! Not being able to make decisions is a trait that can make or break a leader.

After all, being decisive is one of the essential qualities of a successful leader.

15 Signs Your Boss Is Too Indecisive

If your boss can’t make decisions, it can severely impact your work life. It is frustrating to have a boss who can’t make up their mind.

But it can also lead to a lot of wasted time and energy. Here are some signs that your boss is too indecisive:

1. Second-Guessing Themselves All the Time:

An indecisive boss is someone who second-guesses themselves all the time.

They may hem and haw over small decisions or take a long time to make big decisions.

For instance, they may hesitate over whether to approve a project proposal or not.

Or, they may take weeks to decide on a new company policy. Not only are they wasting their own time.

But they’re also wasting the time of everyone waiting for their decision. Either way, this can be frustrating for you as an employee.

Second-guessing can lead to a lot of wasted energy. And it can make it hard for you to get your work done.

2. Constantly Asking for Other People’s Opinions:

“What do you think?” “What would you do?” Does your boss ask you these questions all the time?

If so, they may be too indecisive. A boss who can’t make decisions on their own is someone who constantly asks for other people’s opinions.

They may ask their employees, or even strangers what they think about a particular issue.

Sometimes, they may even ask for advice on social media. This behavior shows that your boss is not confident in their ability to make decisions.

3. Flip-Flopping on Decisions:

Have you ever had a boss who makes a decision, only to change their mind a few days later? If so, you know how frustrating it can be.

A boss who can’t make up their mind is someone who flip-flops on their decisions.

They may change their mind multiple times before finally settling on something.

This behavior can be annoying for employees. After all, it’s hard to get work done when your boss can’t make up their mind about anything.

For instance, your boss may approve a project proposal one day. But then they may change their mind and cancel the project a few days later.

Or, they may decide to implement a new company policy. But then they may change their mind and scrap the procedure a few weeks later.

Flip-flopping on decisions can lead to a lot of confusion.

4. Being Wishy-Washy:

A boss who can’t make decisions is often wishy-washy. This means that they are not firm in their convictions.

Instead, they tend to sway back and forth on issues. For instance, they may agree with one person’s opinion one day.

But then they may agree with another person’s opinion the next day. Let’s explain it further.

Suppose your boss is trying to decide whether to approve a project proposal.

They may talk to one person who is in favor of the proposal. But then they may speak to another person who is against the proposal.

As a result, your boss may go back and forth on their decision. They may approve the proposal one day.

But then they may change their mind and reject the proposal the next day. The employees may feel annoyed and discouraged by this behavior.

5. Having Difficultly Making Simple Decisions:

A boss who can’t make decisions has difficulty making even the simplest decisions.

For instance, they may take a long time to decide what to have for lunch.

Or, they may spend hours deciding which vendor to use for a project.

Or, they may agonize over which company car to buy. These are very simple decisions that most people can make quickly.

But an indecisive boss may have difficulty deciding, no matter how small or inconsequential.

6. Overthinking Things:

A boss who can’t make decisions often overthinks things. They may spend hours, days, or weeks thinking about a particular issue.

But in the end, they may not be any closer to a decision. They may be more confused than ever.

For example, your boss may be trying to decide whether to approve a project proposal.

They may read all of the proposal’s supporting documents. They may talk to the employees who wrote the proposal.

They may even talk to other experts. But in the end, they may not be any closer to a decision.

7. Seeking Reassurance:

“Do you think this is a good idea?” “Are you sure this is the right thing to do?”

A boss who can’t make decisions often seeks reassurance from others. They may constantly ask their employees for their opinion.

Whatever they decide upon, they need reassurance that it is the right thing to do.

Like overthinking things, seeking reassurance can lead to even more confusion.

For instance, your boss may ask your opinion on a project proposal. You may give them your honest opinion. But then they may go and ask someone else for their opinion.

And if that person gives a different opinion, your boss may change their mind again.

8. Making Impulsive Decisions:

A boss who can’t make decisions may try to compensate for their indecisiveness by making impulsive decisions.

An impulsive decision is a decision that is made without thinking it through. It is a spur-of-the-moment decision that is usually not well thought out.

For example, your boss may receive a project proposal. And he immediately approves it without reading it carefully.

Or, your boss may receive a report that is full of errors. But instead of taking the time to read it and fix the errors,

He approves it as is. These types of decisions can lead to big problems later on.

9. Procrastinating:

Procrastination is the act of putting off or delaying something. And a boss who can’t make decisions often procrastinates.

They may put off deciding until it is too late. Or, they may put off deciding because they are afraid of making the wrong decision.

For example, your boss may receive a project proposal. But instead of deciding, they just put it in their drawer and forget about it.

Or, your boss may be asked to decide on a company policy. But instead of making a decision, they just put it off until someone else decides for them.

10. Making Excuses:

“I’m sorry, but I just can’t make a decision right now.” “I need more time to think about this.”

A boss who can’t make decisions often makes excuses. They may try to delay deciding by making excuses.

Or, they may try to avoid making a decision altogether by making excuses.

For example, your boss has to decide which employee to promote. But instead of making a decision,

They make excuses like, “I’m not sure if this is the right thing to do.”

Or, your boss has to hire a new employee. Instead, he says, “I’m not sure if we can afford to hire someone new right now.”

Making excuses is just another way of avoiding making a decision.

11. Avoiding Conflict:

“I don’t want to upset anyone.” “I don’t want to make anyone mad.”

A boss who can’t make decisions often avoids conflict. They may be afraid of upsetting someone or making them mad.

So instead of making a decision, they avoid the conflict altogether.

For example, your boss has to decide which employees to lay off. But instead of making the decision, they avoid it altogether.

They may keep everyone on staff even though the company can’t afford it.

Or, your boss has to decide which supplier to use. But they may keep using the same supplier. Even though cheaper and better options are available.

12. Making Decisions Based on Emotion:

A boss who can’t make decisions may base their decisions on emotion. They may let their feelings guide their decisions instead of logic and reason.

For example, your boss has to decide which employee to promote. But they don’t look at each employee’s qualifications.

They promote the employee that they like the most. Or, your boss has to decide on a company policy.

But they don’t look at the pros and cons of the policy. They make the decision based on how they feel about it.

13. Making Bad Decisions Regularly:

Uncalculated risks are more common among bosses who make bad decisions regularly.

They take risks without thinking about the possible consequences. They may also make decisions without considering all of the options.

For example, your boss decides to launch a new product without doing any market research.

Or, your boss decides for a significant change to the company without employees input.

Making bad decisions regularly can lead to big problems for a company.

14. Not Being Open to New Ideas:

A boss who can’t make decisions is often not open to new ideas. They may be stuck in their ways and resistant to change.

They may also be afraid of trying something new. For example, your boss is presented with a new way of doing things.

But instead of considering it, they dismiss it out of hand. Or, your boss has to try a new product.

But instead of trying it, they say no. Not being open to new ideas can make it difficult for a company to progress and grow.

15. Making Decisions Based On Personal Gain:

A boss who can’t make decisions may be more interested in personal gain than the company’s success.

They may make decisions that benefit them personally. They don’t think of decisions that benefit the company.

For example, there is a choice between two suppliers. Your boss may choose the supplier that gives them a kickback.

Or, if there is a choice between two products, your boss may choose the product that will give them a commission.

Making decisions based on personal gain can be detrimental to a company.

Final Word:

Signs your boss is too indecisive are too many. It might be time to talk with your boss about their decision-making process.

If they’re not open to change, it might be time to look for a new job. Indecisiveness can be frustrating, but it doesn’t have to be a deal-breaker.

You can still succeed in your career even if your boss can’t decide.

Last Updated on 8 months by Shahzaib Arshad