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What makes a good leader? A personal look back
The writer, who has worked with many public service agencies, makes a case for moral leadership.
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Leadership is rarely as simple as good or bad, says the writer.
PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO
Yeo Whee Jim
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“We hate you,” she asserted bluntly. In my early 30s and barely a year into my first director-level role, I was in the thick of staff appraisal conversations with my middle managers when this member of my team offered a no-filter assessment. I had been emboldened by the seemingly rave reviews I was getting, and had decided to solicit honest feedback on my leadership style from the rest of my team.
I froze when I heard her words – I really wasn’t expecting that – and tried to recover with a snarky remark. But the words didn’t come. I searched her eyes, looking for a flicker of doubt or hesitation, but found only a cold resentment and steely confidence that left me reeling for days after.
