August 24, 2025, Issue #27
“Coming on strong, coming on strong, I can feel the heartaches…”
Brenda Lee wasn’t talking about workplace leadership—but she might’ve been onto something.
There’s a certain kind of entrance some leaders make. You know the one: full steam ahead, ready to “shake things up,” all in the name of progress or reinvention. Policies are changed. Roles are shifted. Emails land in inboxes with no warning and big headlines like “Effective Immediately…” And just like that, the calm becomes chaos.
It’s less leadership and more… well, Miley Cyrus said it best: “I came in like a wrecking ball.”
What not to do:
- Announce big changes by email without context—then scramble to do damage control when the reaction isn’t exactly warm.
- Offer vague explanations without addressing the impact, leaving the team confused or disengaged.
- Take silence at face value. Sometimes it means people are processing, sometimes it means they’ve hit pause on trust.
Coming on strong might feel like decisive leadership, but it’s often interpreted as disconnected and abrupt.
What works better?
- Start with a conversation. Before changes happen, offer some context. Share your “why.” Ask for input.
- Observe before acting. Take time to see what’s functioning well. Not everything needs a makeover.
- Communicate like a human. People are more open to change when they feel seen and respected.
- Build trust first. It’s your safety net for when tough calls need to be made.
Change isn’t the enemy. But when it’s delivered like a plot twist no one saw coming, the reaction is rarely positive. People tense up. Morale dips. And suddenly, every Zoom invite triggers a “Now what?” moment.
Leadership should feel like guidance, not whiplash.
So yes, make improvements. Lead with purpose. Be bold when it counts. Just maybe don’t come on so strong.
Because whether it’s Brenda Lee or Miley Cyrus—you don’t want your leadership style to be remembered as the one that caused heartache or came in like a wrecking ball.
Quote
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Maya Angelou