20 Practices Of Leaders Who Destroy Churches, Teams And Businesses

There are some leaders who are just toxic.  They literally destroy every relationship, department and organization they come in contact with.  No one wants to work with them.  Resources do not flow in their direction.  Dysfunction is a daily reality and constant companion.  Morale is low and production suffers.  Have you ever worked for or with this type of leader?

Last week, Henry Abbott wrote a scathing cover story for ESPN The Magazine entitled, “Is Kobe Bryant The Reason For The Lakers Downfall?”  Team executives have rushed to Kobe’s defense and denounced the article but if Abbott’s article is even partially true, it provides a fascinating profile of a leader who has destroyed an organization.  I found the principles applicable to anyone running a church, teams or businesses.

The following are 20 Practices Of Leaders Who Destroy Churches, Teams and Businesses as learned from Kobe Bryant:

1. Leaders Who Destroy These Organizations Miss Opportunities – In 2010, John Hollinger of ESPN.com rated the Lakers the NBA’s top franchise.  He said, “When it comes to superstars, the Lakers are so far out in front of everybody else it’s not even funny.”  Since then, the team has had five coaches, three early playoff exits and two key departures of quality big men.
2. Leaders Who Destroy These Organizations Are Selfish – In the last 10 NBA seasons, Bryant has led the NBA with 21.7 shots per game.  This almost two shots per game more than LeBron James.
3. Leaders Who Destroy These Organizations Are Petty – When the Lakers were recruiting Steve Nash in 2012, the point guard wanted to hear from Bryant personally about his proposed role in the offense.  When asked to contact Nash, Bryant declined wanting Nash call him.
4. Leaders Who Destroy These Organizations Force Others To Work Around Them – An agent of a recent Lakers player said, “Kobe is like the big rock in their front yard.  You can’t mow over it, so you just have to mow around it.”
5. Leaders Who Destroy These Organizations Blame Others (Often Publicly) – Former teammates Andrew Bynum, Pao Gasol and Dwight Howard have all received media blame without any support from Bryant.  An unnamed prominent agent says, “They (potential free agent acquisitions) see that his teammates become the chronic public whipping boys. Anyone who could possibly challenge Kobe for the spotlight ends up becoming a pincushion for the media. Even Shaq.”
6. Leaders Who Destroy These Organizations Are Insecure – Insecurity is a destructive cancer for organizations because when times get tough insecure leaders will always default to self-preservation.  Others told Abbott “he undermines anyone who threatens his supremacy.”
7. Leaders Who Destroy These Organizations Are Relationally Dysfunctional – Another agent who had a free agent decline an opportunity to join the Lakers said, “I saw some things in the players’ parking lot. Conversations between Bynum and his people and some people with the Lakers. It got pretty rough and heated.”
8. Leaders Who Destroy These Organizations Also Destroy People’s Lives – A front office executive from a rival team said, “It’s horrendous. It’s evil…Kobe has cost the Lakers dearly in human capital. Kobe has hurt a lot of people. In some cases jeopardized careers.”
9. Leaders Who Destroy These Organizations Cannot Be Led – During an attempt to resign Howard, Mitch Kupchak advised Bryant and Nash to treat the time together as a sales presentation.  He asked them dress up with proper attire.  According to an unnamed person in the room, Bryant showed up in “hoops shorts, a T-shirt and a gold chain.”
10. Leaders Who Destroy These Organizations Lack Self Awareness – While in the meeting with Howard, rather than attempting to woo him back to the Lakers, Bryant “offered a crash course in developing thick skin and a mini lecture on learning how to win.”  ESPN’s Chris Broussard was told Bryant was “a complete turnoff” to Howard.
11. Leaders Who Destroy These Organizations Cause Good People To Leave The Organization – Howard soon joined the Houston Rockets for approximately $30 million in less money.  For more on his decision click HERE.  Former player Ramon Sessions chose to back up Kemba Walker of the then last-place Charlotte Bobcats than start alongside Bryant.  He has said, playing with Bryant was “definitely different”.
12. Leaders Who Destroy These Organizations Lack Accountability – One Lakers source said Howard felt “he saw one particular player play outside that scheme with carte blanche, with no accountability.”
13. Leaders Who Destroy These Organizations Refuse To Change – The NBA has changed a lot since the Lakers last championship.  Motion offense, ball movement, attacking the rim, shooting 3s, finding spot-up shooters, and coordinated defensive attacks are the current staples of successful teams.  None of these are Kobe’s strengths.
14. Leaders Who Destroy These Organizations Do Not Allow Others To Thrive – Nash told Grantland’s Zach Lowe, “When you play with Kobe Bryant, the ball is gonna be with him most of the time.”
15. Leaders Who Destroy These Organizations Have Major Blindspots – One Lakers insider said, “The problem is, he’s just not as good as he thinks he is.  He’s just not as efficient as he thinks he is.”
16. Leaders Who Destroy These Organizations Limit Who Is Willing To Join Your Team – A rival front office executive said, “I’m sure Mitch already investigated and found out he didn’t need two max slots because the destination isn’t all that attractive until Kobe has completely left the premises.”  An agent of current Lakers players was asked whether Bryant inhibited the team’s rebuilding efforts by alienating would-be free agent recruits. “Well, duh.  Isn’t that obvious?”
17. Leaders Who Destroy These Organizations Are Their Own Worst Enemies – A Lakers source said, “He wants to win.  But only as long as he’s the reason we’re winning, as long as the performance is not affecting his numbers. No one works harder than Kobe. And no one sabotages his own efforts more.”
18. Leaders Who Destroy These Organizations Are Left With A Poor Team – The same Lakers source added, “He’s scaring off the free agents we’re trying to get. We’re trying to surround you with talent and your ego is getting in the way.”  Rather than a team of All-Stars, the current Lakers playing alongside Bryant are Jeremy Lin, rookie Julius Randle and journeyman bigs Jordan Hill and Ed Davis.
19. Leaders Who Destroy These Organizations Are Eventually Asked To Leave – A Lakers insider says, “This has finally come home.  Major players don’t want to play with Kobe, and Jimmy (Buss) is waiting for him to leave.”
20. Leaders Who Destroy These Organizations Destroy Cultures – A longtime NBA agent said, “Peek behind the banners and it’s rotten.”

Are you a leader who is destroying an organization?

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