Want to be a great boss without being a jerk? Yeah, I thought so.
Hello, this is Coach Maya. I am so glad you are here.
Look, if you’re a natural people-pleaser, leadership can feel like walking a tightrope while holding a cup of hot coffee. One wrong move and… mess everywhere!
You might find yourself swinging between two extremes. One day, you’re sugar-coating feedback so heavily your team needs insulin, and the next you snap and micromanage because – Surprise – no one understood what you actually wanted.
Sound familiar? Don’t worry – You’re not alone. Most new leaders do this dance.
Here’s the secret they don’t tell you: You don’t have to choose between being nice or being a tyrant. There’s this magical middle ground called assertiveness. And it works.
Let’s break it down:
1. Stop sugarcoating! When you dance around issues, you’re not being kind – you’re being confusing. As Brené Brown says, “Clear is kind. Unclear is unkind.” Your team can handle the truth if you’re not a jerk about it.
2. Hold people accountable. Setting clear expectations isn’t mean – it’s your job. And get this: your team actually wants to know where they stand.
3. Don’t run from conflict. That knot in your stomach? Everyone gets it. But facing issues head-on builds more respect than pretending everything’s fine when the office is basically on fire.
4. Think bigger. Ask yourself: “How can I lead my team to greatness?” instead of “How can I make everyone like me?”
When you’re assertive, you won’t turn into the boss from hell. You’ll be the leader your team has been waiting for.
Here’s my question for you: What tough conversation are you avoiding right now? The one that could change everything?
Share it in the comments. I promise not to sugarcoat my response!
If this video saved you from another day of leadership anxiety, share it with your fellow recovering people-pleasers. See you next time.
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