The boss driving the team mad? Here's how to let them know.
Adrian Baillargeon
???? | ???? Help leadership teams swear more (or less) | Conference Speaker | Leadership Team Performance Specialist l Author | Transform how your team does teamwork
"You are driving everyone bonkers, what’s going on?”
Imagine saying that to your boss.
I recently caught up with Jenn, a senior leader who noticed something was wrong with her manager. Mario was off his game. His frantic, last-minute PowerPoint requests were driving the department mad. Deadlines were missed, workloads were unmanageable, and people were looking for the exits.
Jenn felt the pain too, and was faced with a choice:
She chose to say something sooner.
Jenn invited Mario to lunch. After some small talk, she leaned in and asked:
“Mario, you’re driving everyone a little mad right now. What’s going on? Are you okay?”
Some might call that risky. I call it leadership.
Because when we care enough to ask, we create the space for real conversations. You might think this is a little too blunt. Try saying Jenn’s line in different tones—it’s hard to make it sound uncaring.
Mario’s response? He cracked. He admitted he felt exposed in leadership meetings and struggled to keep up with expectations. Jenn’s question didn’t just surface a problem—it built trust. Together, they found a solution that didn’t involve running the team into the ground.
Accountability is a frequent topic in Teams That Swear? Workshops. However, it is essential to remember that accountability without care is just criticism. The best leaders and teammates—at every level—balance both.
Here's a step-by-step approach if you'd like to have that conversation with someone.
1. Create the right setting. A coffee, a walk, a lunch—somewhere safe.
2. Start with connection. A little small talk goes a long way.
3. Then, be direct.
Right on Jenn, you just saved a few teams from going bonkers—Merci beaucoup.
All the best,?
Adrian
Hi, I’m Adrian Baillargeon, conference speaker, leadership team performance specialist and facilitator. I’m the:
??Author of Teams That Swear (By Each Other, Not About Each Other); and
??Creator of the free Teams That Swear? Team Dynamics Assessment, which allows you to assess how well your team can do together, better (without any swearing!), and
If you are looking for someone at your next team offsite to give you a different perspective on how your team can do teamwork, and shift thinking from "my goals" to "our goals", let's have a talk.
Click here >>> to book a time that suits you. https://tinyurl.com/3rbvecny