Defensiveness(Less)

Being defensive is not a good look. Especially so for those in leadership roles. Unfortunately, we see defensiveness rear its ugly head from leaders occasionally. 

Some of triggers for defensiveness:

• A little too much ME and not enough WE.
• Feeling like the smartest person in the room, and feeling everyone else should know it.
• Assuming we have a grasp of the full picture, when we don't.
• Lacking experience in high-pressure, high-expectation circumstances.
• When difficult situations pivot to focus on personality rather than facts and contexts.

We've all probably either been the defensive one, or on the receiving end of the ire of the defensive one. Neither is a pretty place to be.

Either way, environments of defensiveness rarely produce positive outcomes or portend strong collaborative relationships. Dialing down the temp is always a good first step. And it can be initiated from either side of the table.