Lean Blog Audio Leadership by Fear Doesn’t Work — And Never Really Did
May 6, 2025
Fear-based leadership is revealed as a misguided approach with detrimental effects. Personal stories from the past illustrate how intimidation fails to yield results. Instead, fostering respect and psychological safety is linked to better team performance. Research supports that belittling employees not only demotivates but also leads to costly errors. Embracing mistakes and creating a supportive environment is the key to true leadership success.
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Toxic Leadership at GM Factory
- Mark Graban recalls his first leadership experience at a General Motors factory marked by daily disrespect and management by intimidation.
- Leaders yelled and belittled employees, a toxic approach that failed to improve results or engagement.
Disrespect Harms Productivity and Focus
- Leadership by intimidation diminishes productivity and focus, causing costly mistakes.
- Adam Grant highlights that disrespect disrupts focus, with serious operational consequences including healthcare errors.
Fear Silences Improvement Efforts
- In a hospital setting, Kaizen boards went unused because staff felt unsafe and unheard.
- Fear or futility silences employees, reflecting a culture where leaders dominate rather than collaborate.
