You could be a “bad leader” for doing the right thing!
Servant leadership doesn’t win popularity contests in authoritarian environments. Showing up as a humble leader in a dysfunctional culture makes you the problem.
Here are seven ways to be a “bad leader” in a good way.
Toxic teams spiral inward and downward.
Reaching high requires high-functioning teams.
How to lead a toxic team:
Assume silence is agreement.
Question motives.
Avoid tough topics.
Tolerate drifters.
Interrupt each other.
Get lost in the weeds.
More…
Some people reject encouragement. You say something good. They reply with something bad. Every affirmation is met with, “Yeah, but.”
Sometimes you reject self-encouragement. You say to yourself, “You got this,” and your inner critic says, “No you don’t.”
Use curiosity to encourage people. Here’s how.
I recently encouraged a leader to seek advice from a member of her board. She said that she wanted to talk to him but was concerned about perception. Would he think she’s weak?
I explained that he will think you’re smart if you do it skillfully.
Successful leaders seek wisdom from others.
Turbulence isn’t going away. It often increases.
Crap is fertilizer. Post-traumatic growth is the norm.
About 7 in 100 people experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in their lifetime.
Approximately 50 to 66 in 100 people experience post-traumatic growth (PTG).
Here’s how to ask questions that make PTG likely.
Power blinds. Some become the jerk boss they never intended.
The pressures of leading push people toward destructive behaviors. Some people become the jerk boss they never intended.
“Bosses don’t become jerks overnight because they were awarded a fancy title.” Sabina Nawaz
