Manager vs. Leader How to stop toxic behavior

How to stop toxic behavior like a leader, not a manager. Number one is we have to address it before it becomes someone's job to tolerate it. Think about that. Spark is much easier to manage than a wildfire. Toxic behavior doesn't start as toxic. It's usually small comments, little negativity, gossip. Maybe they're rolling their eyes or some disrespect, and nobody addresses it. Six months later, everyone is frustrated and wondering, how in the world did this get so out of hand? So as a leader, we walk right in. Look, I think we need to talk about something before it becomes a bigger issue than it needs to be. And then number two is don't make it about attitude. Make it about impact. If we bring our emotions into it, people will always argue and fight back on opinions. They usually struggle to argue outcomes. So the second you tell someone you have a bad attitude, they defend themselves. They say, no way, that's not it. That's not what I meant. Prove it. They put a wall up and that becomes resentment. When you explain how their behavior impacts the team, the culture, the customer, you tie it to something they actually care about, that conversation changes. And that's why I like the SBI model from center for creative leadership, where we talk the situation, specific example, behavior. What did we see or hear, and then what was the impact? As Kim Scott says, we do this on a regular basis. So it's like brushing our teeth. We're not waiting for the root canal. We do this on a regular basis. Let's talk about the impact this is having on the people around you. My tone is softer, so I'm not judging. I'm bringing them into the conversation, creating some self-awareness and then we co-create a solution moving forward. Oh, and real quick, if you're looking for leadership tools, tips, frameworks, questions, activities, these say this not that cards or the new if this then that cards, you can sign up here, get a discount, or click the link in my profile and start using them today. And reach out if you need a speaker for your next leadership event, or if I can help customize a half day or full day leadership workshop for your team. Number three is we're gonna protect the best people. If I'm on a boat and it's leaking, it's not about the water outside. No, it's the water that we've allowed inside that's gonna take us all down. So whereas managers might worry about losing their toxic people, leaders were focused on the five people that are impacted the most by their toxic behavior. We're protecting them, cause whether you say something or not, they're noticing and they're making decisions right now. Grunert and Whittaker would say the culture of an organization is shaped by the worst behaviour a leader is willing to tolerate. So let's take action. Right now, the manager, I manage the difficult people. But as a leader, no. I'm protecting the culture, I'm protecting the standard. I'm protecting the people who are doing things right, and we're building this thing together. And look, leadership is not a title, right? It's a fire. We have the opportunity to ignite it, not only in ourselves, but in others. Now, if you like these little tips and frameworks, check out my profile and follow me.