Leaders Never Criticize Behind Your Back

The late great John R Caldon, former Deputy MD of Macquarie Group, taught me a valuable lesson in leadership.

If he ever spoke critically about me to another person, however mild, he would be quick the following day to say: “Oh Adam, you do know I think this about you, don’t you?”

He never wanted me to hear any criticism second hand.

Leaders abide by this rule: they never say anything critical about a fellow team member that they haven’t already raised privately and kindly with them first.

Abide by this anti-gossip principle and watch the trust levels in your team skyrocket.