Nobody likes being the bad guy—or gal. The desire to be liked and accepted can be overwhelming for some people, oftentimes clouding one’s judgment about the best course of action to take when uncertainty presents itself.
However, sometimes being the bad guy is necessary to get things done. The second that one places self-interest above that of the team or the mission of the organization is the second that company objectives are placed at risk.
It’s no secret that different folks require different strokes (of leadership). My high school football coach used to say, “some people need a pat on the back; others need a kick in the [you know what].” There are certain instances where a democratic undertaking can prove more beneficial whereas other occurrences may beckon a more authoritative approach.
