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Become a Leader of One

At the center of prolonged personnel conflicts is usually a weak manager who just won’t lead. He promises to take on a bully but hates conflict so much he winds up waiting the problem out, instead. David worked for such a boss. He was known as a great listener but a man of inaction. David would complain about an uncooperative colleague. The man would nod and promise to investigate. But he did nothing. When you run up against a manager who won’t manage conflict, you have to bring in the reserves: yourself. Lead the leader by example. Mark Sanborn, the author of “You Don’t Need a Title to Be a Leader,” calls subordinates who take on leadership roles “non-titled leaders.”

“The bottom line is, influence and inspiration come from the person, not the position,” Sanborn says.

Sometimes you are the best man for the job of fending off a bully. Show the guy luxuriating in the glass office that leadership has to be exercised in order for it to qualify as such.