Does Your Leadership Style Bless Or Curse Those On Your Path?

Two classmates graduated from the University of Jupiter with distinctions. So close were their aspirations that they worked for the same employer for quite a while. But along the way, they carved out their niches in different sectors.

Rhoda rose to become the CEO of an investment venture that had an appetite for established outfits. These enterprises often turned profitable and Rhoda took all the credit for the good work, leaving her small team badly shuttered and drowned in buyer remorse. They could have done better elsewhere.

Becky, with great determination, ended up as the CEO of a food processing company. As a Fast Moving Consumer Goods—FMCG business, Becky's company depended on a huge workforce to deliver for her the desired results.

As the years went by, the two friends earned both their Masters and PhDs and soon became highly sought after by Universities that wanted industry hardened adjunct faculty, for their various offerings. They accepted offers in different universities as part of their strategic gradual transitions from the corporate world. Both Rhoda and Becky kept their day jobs for a very long time while their academic careers blossomed.

The two ladies impact was felt in their respective universities as much as it did back at their companies. Becky was accustomed to working with people of varying abilities and developed a leadership style that accommodated everyone. This required flexibility and a high sense of empathy to win people over.

Rhoda's leadership style was developed around managing brilliant employees. Investment analysts and portfolio managers grasp concepts pretty fast. And soon, everyone around her had to behave like an investment company employee. It, therefore, was obvious that the university environment provided an abundant supply of brainy types that perfectly served Rhoda's modus operandi.

Both ladies taught in Masters and Executive Education programs and often depended on the working support of the university staff.

Whereas Becky demonstrated plenty of emotional intelligence in working with the university team, Rhoda run roughshod over her team. And one staffer after another sought to be transferred as far away as possible from Rhoda's path.

Later, Becky accepted an offer as an adjunct faculty at Rhoda's university because it was a prestigious institution. Finally, the two girls were reunited albeit by their evening jobs.

Becky soon became the darling of many as Rhoda struggled. Her aggressive nature made her view Becky as a competitor instead of a collaborator.

One day as fate had it, at a faculty and staff meeting, a daring staffer told Rhoda to her face that she was perhaps a good investment company leader but a horrible lecturer. She was all the bad things to everyone. This bold staffer never minced his words. All the while, the Dean listened in silence.

What followed was a string of misfortunes for the bold administrator. The university found it necessary not to renew his contract.

Then in another two jobs that he held in two other universities, life became difficult. He was terminated. Joseph now opted to try his hand in farming and resigned to a life on the farm.

A year down the road, an employees reunion at his first university happened. Joseph attended it and came to learn from colleagues that Rhoda was the one behind his misfortunes. He was eased out by the university because his lightweight contribution had lesser consequences to the institution that benefitted immensely from Rhoda's fundraising efforts.

She had her hand on the pulses of both the investment industry and the investor seeking executives, who were ready to do anything for her. And no wonder his supply contract at the supermarket chain got cancelled two weeks before the get-together. Rhoda was behind it and relished every moment of it when she came face-to-face with Joseph at the reunion as she asked him with a cheeky grin: "so, how is life?"

Knowing that he was before his tormentor, Joseph answered: "do you want me to tell it to you alone, or do I get everyone's attention, for I need them to know how powerful you are?" And at that moment Becky who was nearby moved closer to listen to Joseph.

The crowd formed faster than Rhoda had wished to respond, "no", because everyone knew exactly what had happened. And Joseph started talking politely. "I never worked with Becky, but everyone tells me good things about her. Peter here, got his new job at the bank courtesy of Becky."

Joseph went on to explain that it was obvious that Becky loved feedback however damning it was but Rhoda hated it.

It was apparent to everyone that Becky used her power to grow people while Rhoda used it to avenge those that had a brush with her.

Joseph suggested informally, though loudly to his former colleagues that they hold a Becky-Rhoda day annually to review the career progressions of those that had encountered the wrath or love of the two ladies.

The groundswell of support for the suggestion had everyone offering to host the event at their respective homes. And as word spread, entities with no ties to the university offered to sponsor the get-together. Some faculty members offered to give a free lecture on the day and within no time, the Becky-Rhoda day was one that many looked forward to.

At the first meeting, a year after the university reunion, Rhoda's victims got everyone's tears flowing when sharing their experiences. They all vowed that the shedding was not in vain. The news spread far and wide and public opinion magnified the reputational risk exposure of the concerned institutions. Both the university in question and the investment company eased Rhoda out of their respective systems.

The negative spirit that once straddled the landscape like a colossus finally got her match in the combined positive spirit of her minions. They stood to be counted when it mattered.

So, is your leadership style a curse or a blessing to others? And if a Becky-Rhoda day was held today, how would this be for you? 90% of leaders are never loved by their teams. Convince me that you are in the 10% bracket or if not, that you are in the 90% for all the good reasons.😜😞🤣👊

Disclaimer: Just so that no one catches feelings, this is MadeUpStoryTelling—MUST.