Everyday MBA How To Thrive Under Fear-Based Leaders
Nov 1, 2025
Kate Lowry, a Silicon Valley veteran and CEO coach, shares her insights on thriving under fear-based leadership. She defines fear-based leadership and discusses its negative impact on innovation. Kate describes how to identify intimidating bosses and offers practical strategies for managing such environments. She highlights societal factors contributing to this trend and emphasizes the importance of building resilience. With actionable tips like defining non-negotiables, Kate empowers listeners to navigate these challenging dynamics effectively.
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Fear Motivates The Leader, Not The Team
- Fear-based leaders are motivated by personal fear and use that fear to drive others.
- This style chokes innovation, blocks creativity, and hides mistakes from surfacing.
Cruelty Has Become Socially Permissible
- Cruelty has become socially permissible and even glamorized in media and business.
- Executives copy visible fear-based behavior because it appears effective or fashionable.
Manage Up By Learning Their Patterns
- If you can't leave, learn the predictable patterns of fear-based leaders and manage upward.
- Use tailored tactics to protect what you care about and reduce exposure.
