2. It’s bad for the organization.
The team suffers because a few people mess up the system and progress for everyone else.
Those on the team who wish to do the right thing lose respect for the leader. Others will follow the example of those taking advantage of the leader and lower their own performance standards.
The organization loses.
3. It’s bad for the person taking advantage of the leader’s niceness.
Enabling bad behavior is never good for the underperforming team member. It keeps him or her from identifying their full potential and from realizing personal success.
They may be a superstar if they are given structure and held accountable to complete their work. And, they may never improve…and sometimes the best thing you can do for that person…certainly the team…is help them move on to something new.
Leader, have you become too nice as a leader?
Are you allowing problems to continue out of a fear of not being liked? There is nothing wrong with being a relational leader. That can be a great style of leadership, but part of developing any healthy relationship involves conflict, tough conversations and difficult decisions.
If you are not careful, you can become everyone’s friend, but nobody’s leader.
Leading is hard…some days harder than others. The sooner you handle the problem (and the problem people), the sooner things will begin to improve on your team for everyone…and the sooner you can get a good night’s rest.
