The Fish Stinks From the Head

If something isn’t working in your business (or life, for that matter) look at yourself first. That’s easy to agree with and harder to do. Most of us go straight to blaming the team.

I remember a time I was frustrated with my husband during a home flooring project. I had asked for help and he said no. My immediate reaction was to blame and criticize him in my mind.

Then I caught myself and asked, “What’s my part in this?”

The answer was immediate.

I wasn’t making it okay for him to say no. I was making him wrong. The moment I saw that he actually had a choice, everything shifted. My judgment softened. I felt lighter.

Same situation. Different experience.

I had a manager in one of my businesses who came to me frustrated with an employee who wasn’t engaging with the team. When we looked at this principle, she realized she had been avoiding a direct conversation because she felt uncomfortable.

Once she addressed it, everything changed.

She let him know he could rely on the team and that they genuinely wanted him to be part of it. He started engaging almost immediately.

This is how leadership works.

Bite-Size Action Step

The next time you feel frustrated with someone on your team, pause.

Before you go to blame, ask yourself:

“How might this be a reflection of how I am leading?”

“What is missing in how I am showing up?” Then act on what you see.

Here's to YOU being a leader who is making a difference, at work and in life.

Steady on!Leslie

P.S. Post and tell me the biggest challenge you are facing with your team right now. I read every response and use them to shape what I create and share.

About Leslie

Leslie Cunningham helps small business owners and leaders create teams that care by transforming the leader first. With more than 30 years of experience, she specializes in personal leadership development that builds confident communication, strengthens accountability, elevates ownership, and creates cultures where people are genuinely motivated to perform. Leslie is an award-winning leadership expert, internationally published author, national columnist, and radio personality.