Episode 113
Take Part in Your Own Rescue Instead of Blaming Leadership
In this provocative episode, Bob and Josh flip the script on their usual leadership-focused content. Instead of critiquing leaders, they're calling out team members who constantly blame their bosses for everything that's wrong.
Bob opens with a pattern he's observed for decades: the endless "we could do X if only they would get on board" mentality that permeates lean coffees, webinars, and workplace conversations. He's tired of watching people demonize, marginalize, and stereotype their leaders without any self-reflection.
Josh shares his personal journey of learning to "manage up" — a transformation that began when he admitted to Bob that he was frustrated with his own leaders. What started as finger-pointing became a year-long commitment to understanding what leaders actually face. The result? A complete perspective shift. Once Josh understood the impossible balancing acts, the endless problem-solving, and the human struggles behind the title, his frustration transformed into partnership.
The hosts challenge listeners to:
- Stop using phrases like "that's above my pay grade" as a way to wash their hands of problems
- Assume positive intent from leaders
- Remember that leaders are humans first — they bleed, they have bad days, they're often only 3-5 years into their leadership journey
- Get in the game instead of sitting in the stands judging
- Ask questions to understand rather than criticize
Josh shares a powerful story about his child's sports coach who admitted, "I'm still learning how to be a coach. I'm asking you to be patient with me." That vulnerability and honesty is exactly what most leaders are experiencing but rarely feel safe enough to express.
The takeaway: You are part of the problem. Take part in your own rescue. Flip the script.
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