Leaders must either invest a reasonable amount of Meaning Factcheck Usage

Context

In the book, this isn’t just a passing thought. It’s part of a larger argument about “armored leadership” versus “daring leadership.” The armored leader avoids emotions and sees them as a weakness, which ironically creates the very chaos and disengagement they’re trying to prevent. This quote is the practical, bottom-line consequence of that choice.

Usage Examples

So how do you actually use this? It’s a lens for decision-making.

• For a Project Manager: Instead of plowing ahead when you sense tension in the team, you stop and say, “Alright, I’m sensing some concerns. Let’s take 15 minutes to air them out now, so we’re all aligned and don’t waste the next two weeks going in the wrong direction.” That’s the investment.
• For a CEO/Executive: When rolling out a big, scary organizational change, you don’t just send a memo. You host town halls, you do Q&As, you acknowledge the fear and uncertainty head-on. That upfront time saves you from a year of passive resistance and plummeting productivity.
• For a Team Lead: If a team member seems withdrawn, you pull them aside for a coffee. You don’t wait for their performance to slip into a formal PIP. That 30-minute chat is the reasonable investment that prevents a months-long management nightmare.

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FAQ

Question: Doesn’t this just mean coddling employees?

Answer: Not at all. It’s the opposite of coddling. It’s about creating a psychologically safe environment where hard truths can be spoken, accountability is possible, and real work can get done. Coddling avoids conflict; this approach tackles it constructively before it escalates.

Question: What if I just don’t have the time for all these “feelings” conversations?

Answer: That’s the whole point of the quote. You’re already spending the time—you’re just spending it on the back end, dealing with the fallout. It’s like saying you don’t have time to get an oil change, but you have plenty of time for a new engine when the old one seizes up.

Question: How do you measure the ROI on investing in this way?

Answer: You measure it in the negative. Track the metrics that improve when you *stop* wasting time: reduced project delays, lower staff turnover, fewer escalation meetings, less time spent on re-work. The ROI is in the problems you never have to deal with.