If you’ve ever had a boss who constantly seemed out of their depth (but refused to admit it), you know just how frustrating it can be.
They talk a big game, but their words often reveal just how unfit they are to lead a team. Whether it’s deflecting responsibility, micromanaging, or dishing out meaningless platitudes, incompetent bosses have a way of making you roll your eyes every time they speak. Here are 15 things they say that give away their lack of leadership skills. If you’re in a job like this, you may want to start updating your LinkedIn profile…
1. “We’ve always done it this way.”
Incompetent bosses cling to so-called “tradition,” even when it’s clear that old methods aren’t working anymore. This screams resistance to innovation and a lack of willingness to adapt. Instead of exploring new approaches, they double down on outdated strategies that hold the team back.
2. “Let me have a look at that again.”
This might sound helpful at first, but it’s often code for stalling or covering up the fact that they don’t know what to do. It’s their way of avoiding making decisions, leaving their team in limbo. Over time, it becomes obvious they’re not reviewing anything at all.
3. “We’re like a family here.”
While this can sound heartwarming, it’s often used by bad bosses to blur boundaries or excuse unprofessional behaviour. It’s also a way to guilt employees into working overtime or taking on tasks beyond their role. Real leadership respects work-life balance, not guilt-trips.
4. “Just figure it out.”
Instead of offering guidance or resources, incompetent bosses throw this vague instruction at their team and hope for the best. It’s a clear sign they lack the knowledge to solve the problem themselves. Employees are left scrambling without clear direction, creating unnecessary frustration.
5. “That’s not my responsibility.”
When something goes wrong, an incompetent boss will be the first to sidestep accountability. They’re quick to point fingers rather than take ownership. A true leader shares the team’s successes and failures—bad bosses just distance themselves from anything inconvenient.
6. “We’ll circle back on that.”
This sounds like an efficient way to revisit an issue, but with bad bosses, it’s often a polite way of saying, “I’m never going to address this.” Their avoidance leaves unresolved problems piling up, frustrating the team and derailing progress.
7. “This should only take five minutes.”
Incompetent bosses are notorious for underestimating the time and effort it takes to complete tasks. They assign complex projects with unrealistic timelines, leaving their team stressed and scrambling. It’s their way of revealing how little they understand the work.
8. “You’re the expert—just handle it.”
While empowering in theory, this is often a way for bad bosses to avoid being involved or making decisions. They dump responsibility on their team without offering support, only to swoop in later to critique the results. It’s a convenient way to pass the buck.
9. “Why didn’t anyone tell me about this?”
Instead of acknowledging their lack of awareness, incompetent bosses often blame their team for not keeping them in the loop. It’s a deflection tactic that shifts focus away from their own inattentiveness. Employees are left wondering how much more they need to spoon-feed information.
10. “Let’s table that for now.”
This can be useful in moderation, but incompetent bosses use it as a catch-all to avoid tough conversations or decisions. It becomes their default response to anything that requires effort, leaving their team hanging indefinitely. Productivity takes a serious hit as a result.
11. “We need everyone to step up.”
Instead of addressing specific issues or offering guidance, bad bosses throw this generic plea at their team. It’s a lazy attempt to inspire effort without actually addressing the root cause of underperformance. It leaves employees feeling unsupported and demoralised.
12. “I’m too busy for that right now.”
Good leaders prioritise their time to address important issues, but incompetent ones use busyness as an excuse to avoid responsibility. They push tasks onto other people and dodge anything they find inconvenient, all while claiming their packed schedule leaves them no choice.
13. “I didn’t approve that.”
This phrase often pops up when something goes wrong, even if the boss was fully aware of the decision at the time. It’s their way of distancing themselves from accountability while throwing their team under the bus. It creates a culture of blame rather than collaboration.
14. “We need to be more innovative.”
While innovation is a great goal, bad bosses toss this around without offering any actionable steps or support. It’s empty motivation that leaves the team confused about what’s expected of them. True leaders provide direction alongside encouragement.
15. “I’m the boss—that’s why.”
This is the ultimate sign of an incompetent leader who’s run out of valid explanations. Instead of earning respect through knowledge or guidance, they fall back on their title as a justification for their decisions. Unfortunately, it’s a guaranteed way to lose the trust of their team.
