The Signs of a Struggling Leader (And What to Do About It)

High turnover, low morale, and gossip culture are the three major indicators of a leadership problem within a company, according to this week’s guest on America Back to Work, Tina E. Grimes. 

Organizations often try to treat these symptoms by applying a heavy level of micromanagement, which, according to Grimes, is “a really big issue” because it prevents employees from using their skillset to the maximum effect and inhibits creativity. 

Grimes is CEO of TINA Enterprises (“Turning Intent Into Action”), where she provides leadership, communication, and DEI coaching and training. She’s certified at the highest level as an International John Maxwell Team Coach and a DISC Behavioral Analysis Trainer. She recently received the prestigious John Maxwell JMTDNA Culture Award for exceeding expectations out of 34,000 coaches in 160 countries.

“I create a safe space for leaders,” she shared on the episode. 

Grimes has her finger on the pulse of corporate leadership and knows what it takes for a modern leader to succeed in today’s work world. 

Keep reading to get updated on the latest leadership and leadership development trends, and check out the episode here to access her complete insights. 

The Qualities of a Successful Leader

When Grimes goes into a company to run leadership training or coaching, the first thing she does is conduct a leadership assessment. 

“I have found that the assessment becomes a kind of talking point. It becomes a tool that really disarms individuals from being offended or feeling like they’re being attacked. It’s an interesting way to see who they are and how they’re wired—and I’ve found that people really like to talk about that.” 

During the assessment, she looks for authenticity, trustworthiness, accountability, empowerment, and the ability to work with multiple generations. Those qualities make an effective leader today, and when a leader is lacking in one of those categories, Grimes provides strategies for improvement. 

The Qualities of a Struggling Leader

According to Grimes, one of the major signs that a leader is lacking in one of those key leadership categories is the inability to take responsibility for difficult situations. 

“I see leaders often not accepting the blame or not taking ownership of failures. This frustrates the people they lead and does not lend itself to a healthy culture.” 

Other signs that someone is struggling to meet the demands of a leadership position include an inability to adapt or manage change and serious resistance to feedback. Interestingly, struggling leaders will also often force an employee to operate or execute in a particular area that is not that person’s expertise. 

What HR Can Do When a Leader Is Struggling 

Grimes recommends that companies and HR professionals start by having the struggling leader complete a self-assessment to upskill and develop a leader. 

“You have to find a way in,” says Grimes. 

Self-assessments are a great way for leaders to self-reflect and provide an opportunity to discuss growth and pain points from a tool’s perspective (rather than an individual’s)—bringing more objectivity and less reactivity to the whole process. 

Next, Grimes encourages employers and their HR leaders to conduct workshops around those assessments, perhaps even bringing in trained coaching professionals like herself. 

The goal is to open dialogue around growth and create a we’re-all-in-this-together environment. Ultimately, it’s about creating a safe space for leaders to feel supported rather than targeted—and any feedback from HR to struggling leaders should come from this place. 

For more ideas on how HR leaders can support other leaders within the organization and help them grow, listen to or watch the episode here.