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What If Leaders Don’t See That Anything Is Wrong?
- Nicole F. Smith, M.Ed. (CEO/Founder)
- Mar 8
- 3 min read
The Hidden Cost $$ of Ignoring Workplace Dysfunction
🚨 Here’s the Hard Truth: If your organization is struggling with high turnover, disengaged employees, or an under performing team—but leadership doesn’t see the problem—then leadership IS the problem.
But how do you address workplace dysfunction when the people in charge don’t believe anything is wrong?
(I have been there dealing with this very thing when I was in Human Resources! And it is exhausting!)
The Danger of Leadership Blind Spots
Many leaders believe they’ve built a strong, healthy culture because:
✔️ They don’t hear employee complaints directly.
✔️ Productivity numbers seem “fine.”
✔️ They’ve hired “good people” who should just “do their job.”
But here’s what they’re missing:
❌ Employees are disengaged but afraid to speak up.
❌ Productivity is happening, but at the cost of burnout and resentment.
❌ “Good people” are quiet quitting or leaving because of poor leadership behaviors.
Leaders who don’t see the problem often are the problem—not because they’re bad people, but because they’ve never been taught how emotional intelligence impacts leadership.
How to Wake Up Leaders Who Don’t See the Issues
If leadership is blind to the dysfunction, it’s not about proving them wrong—it’s about making them see the cost of inaction.
💡 Ask the Right Questions
Are we losing top talent faster than we can replace them?
How often are employees requesting transfers or leaving due to leadership issues?
Are people engaged in meetings, or do they just “clock in and clock out”?
💡 Show the Hidden Numbers (those metrics folks do not think we can track!)
Turnover Costs: The cost of replacing one employee is 1.5-2x their salary. If leadership is dismissing departures as “normal attrition,” they’re bleeding money.
Productivity Loss: Employees who are disengaged cost companies 18% of their salary in lost productivity.
Burnout Impact: 76% of employees experience workplace stress that affects their mental health—what’s the plan to prevent it?
💡 Expose the Leadership Disconnect. A Gallup study found that 70% of workplace culture is influenced by leadership behavior—yet many executives think culture is an HR issue. The reality? If leaders don’t model and reinforce a strong culture, no initiative will fix the problem.
What’s at Stake If Nothing Changes?
Talent Exodus: Your best employees will leave. The ones who stay are just surviving, not thriving.
Toxic Reputation: Glassdoor and LinkedIn reviews shape how future talent sees your company.
Diminished Performance: A disengaged team won’t innovate, collaborate, or care about your company’s goals.
The Call to Action for Leaders
If you don’t see a problem, it doesn’t mean there isn’t one. It just means no one trusts leadership enough to tell the truth.
✅ It's time for an honest workplace culture check-in.
✅ It’s time to measure leadership’s real impact on engagement, retention, and productivity.
✅ It’s time to lead with emotional intelligence—because culture starts at the top.
Let’s Fix This—Together
I help leaders uncover blind spots, rebuild trust, and create a workplace where people want to stay, grow, and thrive. If you’re ready to take an honest look at your leadership impact, let’s talk.
📩Book some time for us talk
📧 Email me direction and we can begin this journey!
🌐 Learn More About EQ Leadership and catch the EQ and Why Me!
Culture doesn’t change by itself—it changes when leaders take action.
Will you be the leader who steps up?
