Courtney Sample is the new hard-charging, tough-as-nails CEO of a system hospital. She is well known for delivering great results, but sometimes at the expense of many. Previously, she executed a multiyear, multimillion-dollar turnaround of a bankrupt hospital, replacing the entire senior leadership team in the process. 

Six months into her position, Courtney is frustrated. 

She has not been able to finish a single project, and morale among her senior leadership team is at an all-time low. Many of the employees and physicians are unfamiliar with her, and those who know her avoid eye contact. She schedules an appointment with her longtime personal coach, Will Cheng, to seek his guidance. Will spends a day talking with Courtney’s staff and then meets her over dinner. 

Will. You intimidate your staff. They didn’t even want to talk to me. They think you view them like tools, just there to get the job done.

Courtney. Isn’t that what we all are anyway? Tools to get the job done?

Questions 

1. How can showing respect help Courtney out of this scenario? What can Will do and say to correct Courtney’s misguided attitude? 

2. How is the concept of respect a constant in all leadership settings? Consider the leader who states, “Sometimes, I want my followers to fear me.” Is this dynamic ever appropriate?