Behind the Scenes - Week 39
Nugget of the Week
This is the idiom of ‘the fish rots from the head’. It’s not biologically correct as fish actually rot from their guts, but poor leadership inevitably leads to the destruction of trust, a drop in engagement and ultimately, bad results.
And you’ve heard many times that people join an organisation and leave a bad manager. Football managers are sacked most publicly when the team performs badly because all of their fans, who give their time and money to support feel let down. And that’s how organisational employees feel when their leaders don’t do what’s needed; they feel let down.
However, the job of a manager is not to be liked and do what people want. It’s to do what needs doing in ways that take people on the journey with them.
This Sh** Really Happened!
To be transparent, I know it was no coincidence, because we were (past tense) connected on LinkedIn and had interacted about an issue I feel strongly about. The ridiculous pressure to RTO (return to office). My team (I couldn’t love them any more if I tried) contacted him about this and he claimed to know nothing about me. Sneaky snakey right? Talk about inauthentic! I could use more colourful language but I’m far too professional for that.
Well, this week, I got a notification that he’d looked at my LinkedIn profile and then just a few hours later published an article using a recent topic I’d written about.
That was it – I lost my Sh**. Once is forgivable. A second time, after having been contacted by my team, that’s intentional. So, this time my team brilliant team took more decisive action, and this person & I are no longer connected, hence the past tense.
Why do people who claim to be lauded by some big names need to swipe other people’s ideas and content? I know there is very little that is really original, and I happen to believe in a shared consciousness, but copying is never ok.
Nuff said?
Coming up, Buttercup!
In the upcoming episode of (dropping) Pebbles in the Pond show, we’re taking a bold step beyond the typical conversation about introvert strengths. It’s time to move past simply acknowledging that introverts bring value and start making real, impactful changes toward inclusive leadership.
Too often, organisations tick the diversity box without truly creating space for introverts to shine. We’ll explore why it’s crucial for leaders to embrace authentic inclusion that recognises the quieter voices and their powerful contributions. My guest and I will unpack how to build environments that foster real connection and respect for different communication styles.
But this conversation goes deeper than just leadership. We’ll also focus on how introverts themselves can recognise their unique strengths and step confidently into the equation with their own style of leadership. It’s about understanding that introversion is not something to overcome but rather a superpower to be embraced.
Together, we’ll dive into practical strategies for introverts to exercise their influence and make a real difference, both in their careers and in the broader landscape of leadership. This episode is all about breaking the mold, so tune in for a conversation that sparks real change!
Hot off the Press
To me, Listening and Inclusive Leadership go hand in hand, so the following combination of Podcast and LIVE Show just seem perfect match to share with you this week. Click on the banner below to watch or listen.
If you rate the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify as well as Like, Comment and Share the YouTube video you will be helping other fellow introverts who may find this content helpful, encouraging them to live a more fulfilled and authentic life.
I look forward to you tuning in and promise to calm your senses.
