How to Avoid Hollywood Drama in Your Culture - Be Proactive...

In the last several weeks, a host of celebrities have made allegations of sexual harassment or assault against Harvey Weinstein.

If you are unfamiliar with the story, suffice it to say that Weinstein, a powerful Hollywood mogul, appears to have used his position and influence over numerous women in an attempt to coerce (even demand) sexual favors.

The purpose of this post is not to rehash the details of Weinstein's exploits. (If you want additional information about Weinstein's saga, you can check out this BBC article Harvey Weinstein Timeline: How the Scandal Unfolded.)

Let me be clear; writing about subjects like this often require a bit of clarification.

I have no desire to celebrate someone's failings or bring up an ugly situation merely to garner eyeballs on a post. Real people have been and continue to be affected as a result of the unfolding drama.

My intent is to use the Weinstein situation as a reminder for all of us to take a look at the culture we are creating in our own organizations and ask ourselves questions about the behaviors people are putting into practice.

Three Bad Behavior Truths to Consider

1. Bad Behavior Begets Bad Behavior

Weinstein's situation is not the only such Hollywood related inappropriate behavior incident unfolding at the moment.

• October 12 - Deadline.com wrote that Amazon Studios’ Roy Price was suspended amid sexual harassment claims
• October 17 - Cartoon Brew reported that Nickelodeon Show Creator, Chris Savino was suspended due to claims of sexual harassment

Here's the point... bad behavior often begets bad behavior.

People tend to rise (or fall) to the level of those around them whether on a team, in an organization, or within a broader industry. I'm not saying that these people conspired. I doubt they even interacted.

What I'm saying (and what is likely more relevant to you and your world) is that when the leaders in an organization (or an industry) begin to behave in a certain way, others feel it is acceptable and bad behavior can become epidemic.

Consider your organization:

• What corrosive behavior is going unchecked?
• What is the long-term impact if this continues?
• What should you do today to address the issue?

2. Bad Behavior Is Often Overlooked

In the Weinstein situation, there is little doubt that others knew what was going on and likely overlooked issues because of strong performance. The New Yorker claims that “a culture of complicity” has existed at both The Weinstein Co. and his previous film company, the Walt Disney-owned Miramax. “Numerous people throughout the companies (were) fully aware of his behavior but either abetting it or looking the other way."

Let's face it, from the perspective of many, Weinstein was delivering great results. He was on top of the heap and people wanted to be around him. Unfortunately, organizations often turn a blind eye to top performers behaving badly.

Consider your organization:

• What are top performers allowed to getaway with because they are delivering great results? Do they demean others? Fail to act as team players? Etc.?
• What is the long-term impact of allowing this to continue?
• What should you do today to address the issue?

3. Bad Behavior Often Takes Down the Most Competent of Performers

Take a moment to think about a senior leader who suffered a downfall. What caused the failure? Was it a lack of competence? He/she didn't know how to do the job or failed to deliver results? Of course these things happen.

It also happens that they fall in ways similar to Weinstein. No, the allegations aren't necessarily sexual in nature or this grave, but they can include deceit, embezzlement, or a myriad of other bad behaviors.

My point is that to be a credible leader, it takes both competence (what you can do) and character (who you are). In my experience, the higher someone gets in an organization, the more the second one is revealed. And, it is often the source of once demise.

Consider your organization:

• Are you promoting people for competence and failing to take character into consideration?
• When was the last time a character issue caused a person's downfall or dismissal in your organization?
• What should you do today to invest in helping your people to work on character development?

Let me leave you with an idea: the depth of our character (mine and yours) is usually revealed in our own level of self-restraint.

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Best- Patrick

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Author's Note

I don't typically write articles about people who have stumbled or failed in big ways. We all mess-up and I'm certainly no exception to the rule. The last thing I want to be considered is a hypocrite by pointing at the 'speck of sawdust' in someone else's eye but ignoring the 'plank of wood' in my own. 

That said, I think we can learn lessons from both good and bad examples in life and the Weinstein situation affords us such an opportunity. As I said in the past with the FoxNews Channel debacle, overlooking these types of incidents and missing the chance to examine ourselves would be a mistake on all of our parts.