Does Your Company Culture Empower the Oppressor? Leadership Insights from Liddell Consulting

“Tact is the ability to tell someone to go to hell in such a way that they look forward to the trip.”— Winston Churchill

Top producers are often dynamic, tenacious, and persistent—an excellent skillset, particularly in roles that must push through challenges and inspire action. But there are all different personality types and work styles in the workplace. Each has its place and its benefits. Only reinforcing the forceful and more confrontational styles of communication and feedback delivery (intentionally or not) will result in a lopsided company culture. In other words, every company needs the worker bees as much as the visionaries.

There is more than one way leaders affect company culture. We frequently talk in these newsletters about how leaders are the example and how their behave rubs off on those around them. If they are communicative and transparent, then they encourage discussion and accountability. If they are short-tempered and point fingers, the result is defensiveness and responsibility avoidance. But what about leaders who push aside management technique as long as the team’s numbers are there? Poor performance applies to more than the bottom line—it applies to how the numbers are achieved as well. Companies where managers who use intimidation to achieve performance without boundaries are empowering the oppressor.

What is a Great Culture?

1. Can easily envision success
2. Focus on providing value to their customers
3. Take responsibility for the overall business
4. Make decisions that drive action
5. Place high value on people and teams
6. Won’t tolerate complacency

Learn About Assessments

Conflict Can Be Healthy

Conflict is a normal and healthy part of a successful company. A culture where people feel free to express concerns and opposing views leads to greater creativity and productivity. But if one person is domineering, stifling, or otherwise belittling others consistently and isn’t seeing fault in their behavior, it may be time to hold up the mirror.

Checking In

Checkpoints provide unbiased views of behavior, practices, and habits that can be enlightening for leaders and teams. We use tools like Everything DiSC®, The Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team™, or our own proprietary Workplace Engagement Survey as means of gaining objective input. These and other assessments help kick off meaningful realignment of team dynamics and leadership styles. Facilitated discussions can help leaders and teams flip the switch on unproductive behavior.

EQ in Leadership

We all know what IQ is, but EQ or Emotional intelligence has come more into conversation over the past few years. It has to do with the ability to be aware of and manage your emotions and how they impact relationships. It can make or break professional achievement as it is an indicator of how successful a person will be at connecting with others, handle challenges, and manage frustrations. Just like leadership style, it is partially innate, but it is also a skill that can be honed.

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