Leadership experts say leaks coming out of the White House could be a symptom of mismanagement
Pool/Getty Images
MIT Sloan School of Management professor Hal Gregersen told Business Insider that it doesn't matter if only a percentage of the leaks are truthful and done in good faith. The sheer number of leaks still likely point to a climate of distrust and frustration in the executive branch.
"If people felt safe enough to speak their minds internally, they wouldn't go externally," he said. "Research shows that people who lack a sense of psychological safety, like when they don't feel a sense of trust or respect, they shut down. Sometimes without realizing it. So they're less likely to accept or seek feedback, they're less likely to experiment, discuss errors, and speak up. It breaks collaboration and performance. It has a negative impact on those things. If you're looking for people to support, and fall into line, you have less of a chance managing with that style."
The co-authors of "Friend or Foe," Wharton professor Maurice Schweitzer and Columbia Business School professor Adam Galinsky, also agreed that the leaks could be a sign of dysfunction within the executive branch.
"I think it's clear when that's happening it's a sign of dysfunction," Schweitzer said. "It's a sign of the lack of cohesion and security people feel. It starts with a lack of humility, a lack of order, and a lack of focus."
The administration can have Sean Spicer confiscate aides' phones, lock down the internal White House computer system, and assign aides to monitor employees' loyalty, but that won't necessarily plug the leaks.
Galinsky said that managers who create security, room for error, and a strong hierarchical order can help prevent leaks and disloyalty.
"You get leaks when there's chaos, because there's a power vacuum that people are trying to jockey to fill," he said.
- I spent $2,000 for 7 nights in a 179-square-foot room on one of the world's largest cruise ships. Take a look inside my cabin.
- Colon cancer rates are rising in young people. If you have two symptoms you should get a colonoscopy, a GI oncologist says.
- Saudi Arabia wants China to help fund its struggling $500 billion Neom megaproject. Investors may not be too excited.
- Catan adds climate change to the latest edition of the world-famous board game
- Tired of blatant misinformation in the media? This video game can help you and your family fight fake news!
- Tired of blatant misinformation in the media? This video game can help you and your family fight fake news!
- JNK India IPO allotment – How to check allotment, GMP, listing date and more
- Indian Army unveils selfie point at Hombotingla Pass ahead of 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas
- JNK India IPO allotment date
- JioCinema New Plans
- Realme Narzo 70 Launched
- Apple Let Loose event
- Elon Musk Apology
- RIL cash flows
- Charlie Munger
- Feedbank IPO allotment
- Tata IPO allotment
- Most generous retirement plans
- Broadcom lays off
- Cibil Score vs Cibil Report
- Birla and Bajaj in top Richest
- Nestle Sept 2023 report
- India Equity Market