Here's an article titled "20 Alarming Signs Your Manager Might Be a Professional Cheater" that highlights critical red flags to help you identify whether your manager may be engaging in dishonest practices.
In conclusion, while some of these behaviors may occasionally occur due to the pressures of a high-stress job, consistently exhibiting these signs suggests that your manager might be engaging in deceitful practices. Identifying and addressing these behaviors early can help you protect your professional integrity and maintain a healthy workplace culture. (Naveen Sinha)
1. Constantly Shifts Blame
One of the primary signs of an untrustworthy manager is their tendency to blame others for mistakes or project failures. They might pin responsibility on subordinates rather than owning up to their own mistakes or accepting shared accountability.2. Takes Credit for Your Work
If your manager regularly takes credit for your ideas or projects, it's a major red flag. Ethical managers acknowledge their team’s efforts, while dishonest ones may use their team’s achievements to bolster their own reputation.3. Overpromises and Underdelivers
A cheater manager often promises impressive results to their superiors, but fails to follow through. This behavior not only impacts the team’s reputation but also erodes trust within the organization.4. Withholds Crucial Information
Keeping essential information from team members is another tactic dishonest managers might use to maintain control. This lack of transparency can prevent you from doing your job effectively, and it may signal a desire to manipulate outcomes.5. Plays Favorites
If your manager consistently shows favoritism to certain employees without merit, it can indicate manipulation. Favoritism is a tool used by some dishonest managers to create divisions within the team and secure loyalty.6. Acts Secretive About Financials
Financial secrecy or withholding budget details can suggest dishonest dealings. A trustworthy manager shares relevant financial data to ensure that the team understands how resources are allocated and spent.7. Regularly Changes the Narrative
If your manager frequently changes their story or seems to have selective memory about discussions, they may be trying to cover their tracks. This inconsistency often serves as a tactic to avoid accountability.8. Pushes Employees Beyond Reasonable Limits
A manipulative manager may set impossible deadlines or expect work that goes far beyond your scope. This often creates an excuse to later criticize your performance, regardless of the actual outcome.9. Micromanages Excessively
Micromanagement can signal a lack of trust and a desire for control, common traits in untrustworthy leaders. A manager who micromanages may also use this approach to conceal their own shortcomings by keeping a tight grip on others' work.10. Rarely Takes Feedback Positively
If your manager is defensive or dismissive when receiving feedback, it can indicate an unwillingness to improve. This defensiveness can be a tactic to avoid being called out on unethical practices or incompetence.11. Uses Manipulative Language
Dishonest managers often use ambiguous language or try to twist words to suit their narrative. They may frequently use jargon or convoluted language to confuse or mislead others, making it difficult to hold them accountable.12. Keeps You in the Dark About Team Decisions
Excluding team members from important discussions or decisions is a control tactic. A manipulative manager may try to avoid scrutiny by withholding crucial updates or decisions from you and the team.13. Sets Unrealistic Performance Goals
A manager who consistently sets unrealistic goals may be setting you up to fail. They might use these unattainable targets as leverage, either to criticize you or as an excuse to withhold rewards or promotions.14. Encourages Unhealthy Competition
Instigating unhealthy competition among team members is a way for manipulative managers to keep employees distracted and prevent unity within the team. This division often keeps employees from recognizing the manager’s unethical actions.15. Lacks Transparency in Decision-Making
Ethical managers are transparent about why decisions are made. In contrast, a dishonest manager will make decisions behind closed doors, often with little or no explanation, which can lead to suspicion and distrust among the team.16. Ignores Company Policies for Personal Gain
If your manager selectively applies company policies or ignores them for personal gain, it’s a serious red flag. This could be anything from using company funds irresponsibly to bypassing rules for their own convenience.17. Often Engages in Office Politics
Engaging in office gossip or politics to gain an advantage over others is a common tactic of unethical managers. They may try to undermine others or influence team opinions to protect their own interests.18. Refuses to Recognize Others’ Accomplishments
A dishonest manager might downplay or ignore others' successes, fearing they could outshine them. This lack of recognition can discourage employees and reflects a self-centered approach to leadership.19. Keeps Shifting Job Roles Without Justification
Constantly reassigning roles or changing team members’ responsibilities without explanation can indicate a hidden agenda. Manipulative managers might do this to keep employees feeling unstable or to mask their own lack of direction.20. Hides Mistakes from Upper Management
An unethical manager is likely to conceal mistakes to avoid accountability. They might instruct the team to cover up errors or try to bury issues, which can create a toxic work environment and erode trust.In conclusion, while some of these behaviors may occasionally occur due to the pressures of a high-stress job, consistently exhibiting these signs suggests that your manager might be engaging in deceitful practices. Identifying and addressing these behaviors early can help you protect your professional integrity and maintain a healthy workplace culture. (Naveen Sinha)
