Many businesses face the issue of disconnected leadership, where top-tier managers are oblivious to the problems brewing at the grassroots level. This can lead to a toxic work culture, dwindling morale, and decreased productivity. It’s crucial for leaders to be aware of the reality on the ground, and to foster open communication channels for all employees.
A prevalent issue is the ‘Say-Do’ gap, where what leaders say doesn’t align with what they actually do. This can breed mistrust and cynicism among employees, undermining the company’s values. To bridge this gap, leaders must model the behaviours they expect from their teams, and ensure their actions reflect their words.
Another challenge is the ‘Knowing-Doing’ gap, where leaders are aware of the problems but fail to act on them. This could be due to fear of change, lack of resources, or simply complacency. Leaders need to be proactive in addressing issues and implementing solutions, rather than just acknowledging them.
Lastly, organisations must avoid the ‘Omission-Commission’ trap, where they focus solely on things that are being done wrong, ignoring the things that are not being done at all. Recognising and rectifying these omissions can lead to significant improvements in performance.
In essence, effective leadership requires awareness, action, and a commitment to bridging the gaps between saying, doing, knowing, and omitting. Without this, businesses risk becoming like a rotting fish, decaying from the tail upwards while the head remains oblivious.
Go to source article: https://medium.nobl.io/the-fish-rots-from-the-tail-while-the-head-is-clueless-6120134da0c0