16 subtle signs you're the boss everyone hates

If you've been labeled a "bad boss," you'll probably be the last to know.

"Your staff will be very adept at making it a well-kept secret because they will do everything to keep their job security intact," says Lynn Taylor, a national workplace expert and the author of "Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant: How to Manage Childish Boss Behavior and Thrive in Your Job."

"But if you decide to boost your emotional-intelligence radar and look for subtle signs that your team may be unhappy, you'll uncover a wealth of actionable feedback."

Michael Kerr, an international business speaker and author of "The Humor Advantage," agrees that it's important to know how your employees feel about you. When they don't like you, there are consequences, he says. For instance, they'll be less happy and more stressed (which affects things like their productivity and creativity); they may quit on you (which will cost you and your company time and money); they may give you bad reviews or complain to HR (which puts your job in jeopardy); and you'll have trouble earning their respect, being viewed as credible, and getting them to listen to your opinions.

"Your goal as a manager is not to be liked by everyone; if it is, you won't be making the best decisions for the company," says Taylor. "But if you're an insensitive manager, no amount of intelligence or business skills will ever take you far in your own career advancement. You will always need a strong team and following to thrive in your career."

To avoid having to deal with those consequences, among many others, you'll need to recognize the signs and make changes to your behavior, attitude, and approach to leading.

Here are 16 subtle signs your employees may secretly hate you: