Leadership Lessons: Address the "Cancer" Early One leadership lesson that shaped my career is simple: "Address the cancer before it spreads." I’ve learned that when negative attitudes or toxic behaviors emerge, strong leaders tackle them head-on. By addressing issues early, they protect the team's culture and morale, preventing a ripple effect of negativity. It’s tough but necessary—leaders must act quickly and fairly to ensure challenges don’t escalate. What leadership lesson has shaped your journey? #Leadership #TeamCulture #Accountability #CareerGrowth

To manage a disruptive stakeholder in a meeting, stay calm and acknowledge their point to show you're listening. Set ground rules for respectful communication, then politely redirect the discussion back to the agenda. Use nonverbal cues to signal for them to pause, and follow up privately afterward to address their concerns constructively.

I would have an agenda, and when they interrupt, I'd agree with them, but then say that I'd like to get through and cover the agenda items to ensure that everything has been addressed. Once that has done, we can then discuss what they want to say. This keeps control, but also allows them to be heard and to listen to them. They're disruptive for a reason, and finding out what this is, is more than likely going to improve the outcomes of the meeting, or the project.