We’ve all had bad bosses.

We might have even been one. At the very least, we’ve probably let people down who counted on us.

We all carry burdens from our past that show up in how we lead. And we’re all confronting systems that foster toxic workplace cultures where overwork and blurred boundaries are the norm, spaces that don’t feel safe or generative, and where there is little to no accountability.

The question we face is simple, but urgent: How do we want to lead?

Our leadership can reinforce toxic systems and norms. Or we can learn to recognize our own burdens and do the work to become more aware, adaptable, and flexible. We can create spaces where people feel seen, heard, and valued, even when systems feel unstable or unfair.

Because leading is about deciding, in every moment, whether we respond from our burdens or from our values.

And my guest today helps us reflect on those choices and decide how we want to lead through her own lived experiences with bad bosses.

Mita Mallick is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author who is on a mission to fix what’s broken in our workplaces. She’s a corporate change maker with a track record of transforming businesses and has had an extensive career as a marketing and human resources executive.

Mallick is a highly sought-after speaker who has advised Fortune 500 companies and start-ups alike. She is a LinkedIn Top Voice and was named to the Thinkers 50 Radar List. She’s a contributor to Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, Adweek, and Entrepreneur. Mallick has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Time Magazine, Forbes, Axios, Essence, Cosmopolitan Magazine and Business Insider.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

Three scenarios where leaders commonly shift into being bad bosses
Key reasons why we tolerate bad bosses and what we can do to shift the culture
Why Mita’s 13 archetypal bad bosses persist in our workplaces
Why leaders have to invest time and connection in their team members if they want to retain them
Why another executive coaching program will not fix a truly bad boss
The number one skill leaders can focus on to become a better boss
Why corporate America needs more humility and vulnerability

Learn more about Mita Mallick:

Learn more about Rebecca:

Resources:

EP 139: Bad Bosses Aren't Born, They're ...