Not a new species. A bird that chooses neutrality. A bird that sits on the fence. In Afrikaans, a “draad sitter”.
In leadership, standing on the side-lines is less the preferred choice. It is mostly better to take a calculated risk and commit. Weak leaders tend to choose the safe option. They get ignored.
Grow a pair! Avoid no man’s land.
How winners tend to view neutrality? They less likely to be trusted. They tend to be seen as weak.
How losers tend to view neutrality? They are likely to see them as a coward. Someone who puts being liked over being respected.
Call a spade a spade. Have the difficult discussion.
Nice and tough go together. Being kind and having boundaries are not in conflict with each other. Equality in the workplace only protects those who don’t deserve it.
Is equality a lie invented by people who don’t want to choose? Having equal rights does not mean everyone is equal.
No middle of the road stuff.
The world does not reward the nice guy. If you want to create something real, you will have to step on toes and push the boundaries.
Be capable of walking away. Pausing to decide if its worth your energy is not neutrality. Culture and trust is built in moments where you correct the standard.
Keep your blade sharp.
Do not look for fights, but be capable of ending them. When someone disrespects you, no final conversation. Walk away. That is not neutrality, it is choosing to act rather than be acted on.
