The one damaging behavioural trait that I have seen and experienced first hand by senior managment in both large and small companies is that of being a control freak and not delegating effectively.

Experience tells me that any manager can only be effective if he/she is able to delegate and have their direct support staff take on responsibility and be held accountable. Some time ago I remember reading some research from Harvard that confirmed that staff only really believe what their immediate supervisor tells them. Any pontificating from the top usually falls on death ears.

I am not surpised the see this control freak trait in private business owners etc. However I was always concerned even in the biggest companies I have been involved with when leading management would not delegate . The overall business performance was alway well below the true potential.

Another observation is that these managers also are usually workplace bullies. The effect on staff is that they lose interest and, slow down and, sometimes will deliberately work against the good of the business.