IN THE STOP IT SERIES.
We all know a leader in our lives who used anger to control their charges. I distinctly remember my eighth-grade geometry teacher and his tirades. He called us stupid; he slammed things on his desk; he demanded respect using intimidation, and more. Guess what? I barely made it through geometry and still hate the subject today!
In my professional career, I’ve seen this behavior more than I care to admit. Outright displays of anger ruined the careers of successful surgeons, CEOs, instructors, and my peers. Yet, in recent years the rise of the authentic leader gives credence to anger as a “human” behavior and a sign of “vulnerability.” While these statements are absolutely factual, managers who wield anger as a tool for controlling outcomes invariably fail.