Why good leaders self-destruct (new research)

Pattern discovered across 35,000+ McKinsey & IBM executives...

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Your Leadership DNA Could Have A Fatal Flaw (Here's How to Fix It)

Inside today’s issue, you'll discover…

  • The unconscious pattern making good leaders self-destruct (backed by research across 35,000 executives)

  • Why your brain is running "caveman software" in modern leadership situations (and how to upgrade it)

  • How to access the framework McKinsey & IBM leaders use to have tough conversations that actually strengthen relationships

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Hey reader, It’s David.

Ever catch yourself tiptoeing around a tough conversation with your team?

Maybe it's that underperforming employee you should've talked to months ago...

Or that toxic "rockstar" who's killing morale...

Or even just giving honest feedback to your co-founder...

I get it.

Nobody wants conflict.

But here's the thing I learned from leadership expert Todd Holzman (who's trained over 35,000 leaders at places like American Express and Nestle)...

The very thing you're doing to AVOID conflict?

Is actually GUARANTEEING you'll get it.

See, here's what happens...

You notice something that needs to be addressed...

But that primitive part of your brain kicks in...

You know, that little voice saying:

"Maybe it'll fix itself..."

"Not worth rocking the boat..."

"Let's just keep things comfortable..."

(Been there...)

But Todd discovered something fascinating in his research...

This "conflict avoidance" pattern is literally hardwired into our DNA.

It's an ancient survival mechanism from when getting kicked out of the tribe meant death.

Problem is?

That same programming that kept us alive back then...

Is killing your business growth today.

Because every time you avoid that necessary conversation...

The real issue festers...

Trust erodes...

And eventually…

You get an even BIGGER conflict.

One that could've been avoided with a simple conversation months ago.

But here's the good news...

After studying over 35,000 leaders...

Todd found there's a way to rewire this pattern.

A specific framework for having those tough conversations in a way that:

• Builds trust instead of destroying it

• Gets to the real issues quickly

• And actually prevents bigger conflicts down the road

The real kicker?

The most successful leaders aren't the ones who avoid conflict...

They're the ones who learned how to navigate it skillfully.

Think about it...

How many fires are you letting smolder right now because you're avoiding that one conversation?

What's that REALLY costing your business?

Your team?

Your peace of mind?

Here's the thing...

If you're noticing yourself putting off tough conversations...

Or walking on eggshells with certain team members...

Or just feeling that constant anxiety of unaddressed issues...

I'd love to help.

Hit reply and tell me what conversation you've been avoiding.

I'll share the exact framework we use to help leaders have those tough conversations in a way that actually builds trust and drives growth.

Because here's the truth…

Your business can't grow beyond your ability to have honest conversations.

And this framework comes from my connections with leaders at companies like McKinsey, BlackRock, and PayPal. It's not theory - it's battle-tested stuff that actually works in the real world. 

Reply back if you want to learn it.

David

P.S. 

Todd Holzman has been the founder of the global consultancy "Holzman Leadership" for over 8 years.

CEOs, Senior Leaders, and HR Executives use Todd's Real Work Process at numerous Fortune 500, FTSE100, and Global 2000 companies to transform their leaders, cultures, and business results.

His most famous clients are American Express, Bristol Myers Squibb, British Telecom, Editas, Nestle, and Red Bull.

He has been a Guest Lecturer at Columbia University since January 1994, where he teaches about leadership.

With over 30 years in top leadership roles, he developed over 30,000 leaders at dozens of organizations and trained a global faculty along with hundreds of trainers and coaches.

You can catch my full interview with Todd here (Link)

That's it for this week!

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