What Leaders Should Avoid Doing

THE ANALYST STANDS CONFIDENTLY, presenting a crisp slide deck to the Leader, who sits across the table, arms folded, listening.

- By Srinath Sridharan & Steve Correa

Analyst: (earnest) This data suggests a significant shift in consumer behaviour. It’s early, but the implications could be huge if we move now.

Leader: (pauses, then smiles knowingly) Yes, I know. I've seen this coming for years.

The room falls silent. The Analyst hesitates, trying to interpret the response.

Analyst: (slightly thrown off) Right ... I just thought the latest numbers sharpen the urgency.

Leader: (nods) Of course. Good work.

The Leader shifts the conversation, leaving the insight hanging in the air: the Analyst closing the laptop, a flicker of disappointment crossing their face.

At first glance, the conversation above appears to be a validation; in truth, it is a quiet dismissal.