What’s the Worst Kind of Boss?

Every boss has their own style, a leadership instinct that has both a positive and negative side. There are four basic types of leadership personalities: the tiger, the fox, the chameleon, and the ostrich.

When a boss is really bad and relies only on the negative elements of their instinct, it can make the workplace a difficult, terrifying jungle. You’ve probably seen each of these types of bosses in action – at their best, and at their worst. So, we want to know what you think.

Learn about each leadership instinct, and take the quiz to see what style you fall into so you can see what leadership traps to avoid!

Want more Leadership Instinct Insight?

  • Simulcast Event
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  • Facebook Leadership Instinct Quiz
  • The 4 Leadership Instinct Styles
  • The Office Fox Video
  • The Office Chameleon Video
  • The Office Tiger Video
  • The Office Ostrich Video
  • 14 Responses to What’s the Worst Kind of Boss?

    1. Wayne Bryson April 6, 2010 at 1:20 pm #

      Wow. A fox! Who would have guessed!

    2. Bill Peterson April 6, 2010 at 1:33 pm #

      What no snake?

    3. Priscilla April 6, 2010 at 2:28 pm #

      Hmmmm! Makes me think.

    4. Dana April 6, 2010 at 2:36 pm #

      I took the quiz at http://myleadershipinstinct.com/quiz

    5. Tinker April 7, 2010 at 11:12 am #

      Just posted on my FB page . . .

    6. Sharon McLaughlin April 8, 2010 at 7:09 am #

      If I am a fox, does that mean I’m foxy?

      • Phil April 20, 2010 at 7:47 pm #

        I’m a FOX too! Lets start a FOX CLUB and KILL the others, LOL

    7. D'Anne Beall April 10, 2010 at 1:42 pm #

      Was there a competent choice?

      • Carol Carter April 27, 2010 at 1:47 pm #

        Hi D’Anne,

        Exactly what crossed my mind. There are other tools that are far more detailed and helpful to uncover blind spots and strengths in your leadership abilities. This is just a fun quiz. I know I am NOT a Tiger, nor are the three other people in our office that came up with that result. We humans are far more dynamic.

        It is interesting to take a look at the caricatures and isolate certain behaviours we sometimes catch ourselves doing. My boss is a combination of three of the creatures … and he has no idea. But if he were to examine the less desireable behaviours listed for each of the possibilities, he would discover blind spots in his leadership that need to be addressed.

        Don’t take your results personally. They certainly aren’t scientific.

        • Refresh Leadership April 27, 2010 at 1:59 pm #

          Hey, D’Anne & Carol –
          Great points about the quiz! It is just a fun look at four basic “types.” many people will cross over, and some might display charactersitcs of all.

          If you want more on different types of leadership styles, 100 Worst Bosses, by Jim Stovall looks at real-life stories of bad bosses and puts them into 20 “animal” profiles.

          The point of the book isn’t to say all bosses are bad, but to help you examine your own leadership “instincts” or tendencies to make sure you’re using them to their best benefit.

          Our Leadership Instinct training will help make sense of all that – have you checked it out yet? There are locations in over 200 areas hosting events next week. Check out http://myleadershipinstinct.com/ for more info and to sign up!

    8. Linda Palmer April 16, 2010 at 11:38 am #

      That was a fun quiz

    9. yoram benamram. April 20, 2010 at 5:53 pm #

      hi; i apply with you employment express last year & never got any kind gob.i got skill with truck drivercalss a with hazmat & nccer card & osha card from dry wall in construction & i hope to get the chance to work with you nice company & proof my self. i hope to hear from you soon good news .thank you yoram benamram.

    10. Terre April 26, 2010 at 9:04 am #

      Ok, what kind of critter do you call someone who fits all four catagories? I just left a job where both the husband and wife hit all 4 catagories and the day before I walked out found out I was the 20th person to fill the position in 2 years. I wish I’d been told that in the interview! This was the 3nd job in a year where I had to deal with owner/managers who were terrible at managing their employees. I have been in the workforce for 40 years now and its terrible to see how the younger generation of business owners look down upon and mistreat the people who are an intrical part of their company. I need to start up a business that teaches owners, supervisors & managers proper employer/employee relations.

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