Workplace culture expert and business consultant Danna Beal is working to transform the work environment from the top down, replacing fear-based, ego-driven management with enlightened management that recognizes and honors the talents of the employees. This alternative management style creates cooperation and collaboration that encourages and allows employees to work at their highest potential, resulting in greater productivity and increased company profits.
70% of over 100 million employees in America are disengaged in the workplace. Gallup Report
Danna says this enormous problem caused by the “artificial power” that governs the fear-based workplace, caused by the “boss from hell” who was elevated to that position without regard for relationship and people skills. In fact, many people receive the reward of management simply for keeping their heads down for the longest number of years. Having arrived at the top, they stay there by surrounding themselves with “yes” people and create so much fear and pain that employees don’t talk about it for fear of recrimination and retaliation.
Gallup reports that the bottom one-fifth of those who are disengaged actively sabotage the company, gossiping, blaming and doing things to create disharmony and drama in the workplace. Danna has spoken to over 300 companies to help them heal the workplace. She says that the good news is people are more receptive than ever before. The cutthroat, competitive workplace is not sustainable. They are seeing how the toxic workplace cannot only make it an unpleasant, unhealthy place to work, it costs the company directly in their bottom line.
Ego-driven Leader Verses Enlightened Leader
In her book, Extraordinary Workplace: Replacing Fear with Trust and Compassion, Danna discusses the ego and how the ego-driven leader exhibits qualities of cockiness, having all the answers and not being accessible or allowing mistakes. By contrast, the enlightened leader puts energy, time and care into the people they work with. They understand that employees don’t come to work fully formed. Each of us has our own issues. Truly great leaders have wisdom and the qualities of humility and integrity. They find value in their employees and lead with compassion. Their leadership is genuine and produces a spirit of trust, through which employees can do their best.
Optimistic Predictions for the Future
Change is coming. Companies like Google actually teach courses on emotional intelligence and more articles are appearing about meditation and mindfulness. Danna urges us to slow down and work from our deepest selves. When we work with more clarity and relationships ability, it empowers all of us. We rise together when everybody works at their highest level.
Listen to this interview for more about enlightened leadership and perspectives about women leadership. Then check out Danna’s blog and free webinar, “How to Deal with The Boss from Hell and Other Difficult People in Your Life.”