In the UK this month the Home Secretary has been found to have ‘unintentionally’ used inappropriate language and behaviour with staff in her department. Because it was ‘unintentioned’ this seems to exempt her from any blame in the matter despite the fact that this behaviour was not confined to a single incident or outburst.
Leaders are judged on the example they set and the culture they create, so to have repeated example of behaviours that are deemed in breach of organizational standards is of some concern. However, the greater failure may not be in the behaviour itself, but rather in the failure to recognize it as an issue at the time. If it was ‘unintentional’ this suggests three things in the sequence of events. Firstly, that this leader is unaware of the standards expected. Secondly, that she is unable to manage and control how emotions manifest in relation to organizational standards. And finally, that this particular leader does not have the emotional awareness to judge how others are reacting and the impact that her actions are having. Brought together this is a worrying mix of attributes that point to a lack of self-awareness and an inability, or unwillingness, to change and respond to the environment. A road rage incident that got out-of-hand may exhibit many similarities!
Where are you in danger of unintentionally going too far?
What do you need to do to manage your own emotional reactions, internally and externally?
How can you ensure you raise your awareness of how others are responding?
Leaders are judged on the example they set and the culture they create, so to have repeated example of behaviours that are deemed in breach of organizational standards is of some concern. However, the greater failure may not be in the behaviour itself, but rather in the failure to recognize it as an issue at the time. If it was ‘unintentional’ this suggests three things in the sequence of events. Firstly, that this leader is unaware of the standards expected. Secondly, that she is unable to manage and control how emotions manifest in relation to organizational standards. And finally, that this particular leader does not have the emotional awareness to judge how others are reacting and the impact that her actions are having. Brought together this is a worrying mix of attributes that point to a lack of self-awareness and an inability, or unwillingness, to change and respond to the environment. A road rage incident that got out-of-hand may exhibit many similarities!
Where are you in danger of unintentionally going too far?
What do you need to do to manage your own emotional reactions, internally and externally?
How can you ensure you raise your awareness of how others are responding?
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