PERSONAL ISSUES


We may experience acute discomfort about challenging leaders when destructive behavior occurs in their personal lives. But distinctions between personal and public life are not very useful when behavior violates the values of the organization and the society in which the organization operates. It is our responsibility to challenge the leader’s behavior if it threatens to undermine trust and the common purpose.

Personal issues are the most sensitive issues on which to challenge a leader. Financial irregularities, infidelities, sexual harassment, and substance abuse are all highly emotive. The leader’s response may be sharp and to the effect that we are out of line. We must be prepared to stand our ground:

“This is not something I would ordinarily raise, but I believe the organization’s goals and your position are at risk if it is not addressed.”

“I know you would like to see this kept a private matter, but it is already being talked about widely and we need to talk about it, too.”

“I’m not any more comfortable about discussing this than you are, but everything we are working for is being jeopardized.”

“If this were to appear on the front page of the Times, you and our organization would be devastated. Let’s discuss it before that happens.”

We may feel outraged and betrayed by the leader’s behavior, as we would if we discovered a family member doing something intensely destructive to himself or the family. When highly sensitive issues threaten to derail the leader and the organization, we need to convey how deeply we feel without attacking the leader and closing him off from our help.




The Courageous Follower. Standing Up to & for Our Leaders
The Courageous Follower: Standing Up to and for Our Leaders (2nd Edition)
ISBN: 157675247X
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2003
Pages: 158
Authors: Ira Chaleff

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