Signs You Are Leading A Fear-Based Team

When people worry less about the quality of their work than about how they're perceived by coaches you've got fear.
When the daily conversation is the discussion of whose stock is rising and who is falling in the coaches’ eyes you've got a fear infestation.
When people have to stop and ask themselves, "Is it safe to tell Johnny my idea?" you have a fear problem in your organization. On a healthier team, the paradigm "I win when you lose" is quickly nipped in the bud.
When statistics rule. All teams have performance goals but the metrics don't allow for the different roles team members must play.
When there is an overabundant amount of rules. The more a coach drones on and on about their rules the less trusting the players are.
When staff members consider lateral communication suspect. There are some coaches who actually get jealous when a team member confides in another coach.
When information is hoarded. If team members learn about an event affecting the team through the grapevine or on social media versus a sit-down with their coaches something isn’t right.
When brown-nosers rule. Fear-based leaders surround themselves with yes-men because it's more pleasant to hear the "right" answer than the truth.
When no one thinks for themselves. Fear shuts down our ability to think creatively, collaborate, and bring passion to the job.
When leaders make all decisions in secret they all but tell players, "Be glad to have a scholarship, stop whining, and get back to work.”

--Adapted from The Coaching and Leadership Journal, October 2012

The Digital Issue of the October 2012 Issue

The Team Leadership Report