The Compassionate Edge: A Question of Control

“Even though worker capacity and motivation are destroyed when leaders choose power over productivity, it appears that bosses would rather be in control than have the organization work well.” — Margaret J. Wheatley, American Writer and Management Consultant

Some time ago, I was hired to coach a small team of women who had recently been promoted to leadership positions. It was not too far into the mandate when they started opening up to what was going on in the company. Clearly, Wheatley’s insight was at play. Let’s use a nursery rhyme to illustrate the power struggle within.