The Fish Stinks From the Head

I was interviewing John Yokoyama, owner of the world-famous Pike Place Fish Market, on my radio show over a decade ago. I still remember John Yokoyama telling me that they had a saying around the market, and that saying was:

The fish stinks from the head!

“The fish stinks from the head!” Meaning, if something isn’t working in your business, you need to look at yourself first. In other words, if employees aren’t providing exceptional customer service, you need to take a hard look at yourself as a leader before focusing on and blaming your team.

I remember arguing with my husband several years ago about our flooring remodel project. I was frustrated with him because I had asked him for some help with the project and he said, “No.” Instantly, I turned to blaming and criticizing him internally.

Fortunately for me, the Pike Place Fish Market saying instantly came to my head, so I chose to look at myself instead and ask, “What’s my part in this?”

I asked myself, and instantly I knew what my part was. I wasn’t making it okay for him to say “no.” I was making him wrong. I realized that he truly did have freedom of choice. As soon as I realized that, I experienced my judgment lifting, and I felt instantly lighter.

I had a coaching client, who was a manager, share with me that one of her employees was coming to work, but not interacting with the rest of the team. When I shared this principle with her, she willingly looked at herself and realized that she was afraid to approach him and have a direct conversation.

She decided to talk to him and let him know that he could rely on the rest of the team and that the employees truly wanted him to be part of the team. She noticed an immediate difference in his attitude as he began to engage and interact with the rest of the team.

Your 1% Amp Up

The next time you feel frustrated with an employee (or anyone, for that matter) and the results they are creating, instead of immediately going to blame and judgment (which you probably will, because you are only human after all!).

However, I want you to catch yourself and ask yourself, “How are this employee’s (or person's) actions and results a reflection of the way I am leading?” “What’s missing in how I’m showing up as a leader that would cause a breakthrough in this employee?” 

And notice your response. And here’s the big part: Take the next specific action related to your insight. 

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.

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