What Good Leaders Can Learn From Bad Bosses with Mita Mallick

Transform Your Workplace

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29d ago 40:14

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Brandon sits down with Mita Mallick, author of The Devil Emails at Midnight, to examine how well-intentioned managers slip into bad-boss behaviors and what leaders can do to course-correct. They discuss stress and personal crises as root causes, the outsized impact managers have on employee mental health, why one-on-ones are a retention tool, and how to prevent cultures of constant urgency. You'll also hear practical tips for avoiding micromanagement, honoring names, reducing meeting bloat, and inviting real coaching from your team.

Key Timestamps

00:00 — Welcome, show purpose, and sponsor message
01:00 — Why "bad bosses" are made by circumstances, not born
03:00 — Three common triggers: market shocks, trickle-down behavior, personal "earthquakes"
06:30 — Managers' influence on employee mental health
07:50 — Time signals care: one-on-ones as a retention tool
11:30 — Freeing the calendar: canceling meetings, async options, delegating attendance
13:30 — Inclusion in practice: the importance of saying names correctly
16:00 — Spotting disengagement and checking in with care
18:10 — Addressing the "napper": direct conversations and recommitment
21:00 — Accountability for disengagement and leadership courage
22:15 — Escaping micromanagement: show what "done" looks like
25:10 — If everything is urgent, nothing is: reducing fire-drill culture
27:30 — The overly kind yet incompetent boss vs toxic positivity
30:30 — Gossip erodes trust and confidentiality
33:00 — Rethinking loyalty and stopping talent hoarding
35:00 — AI, time savings, and doubling down on human leadership
36:30 — Weekly reflection, reading the room, and asking for coaching
38:30 — Where to find Mita and her book

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST

Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR Host: Brandon Laws

In Brandon's own words: "The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders."

About Xenium HR

Xenium HR is on a mission to transform workplaces by providing expert outsourced HR and payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a people-first approach, Xenium helps organizations create thriving work environments where employees feel valued and supported. From navigating compliance to enhancing workplace culture, Xenium offers tailored solutions that empower growth and simplify HR. Whether managing employee relations, payroll processing, or implementing impactful training programs, Xenium is the trusted partner businesses rely on to elevate their workplace experience. Discover how Xenium can transform your workplace: Learn more [https://www.xeniumhr.com/]

Connect with Brandon Laws: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawsbrandon] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/lawsbrandon] About [https://xeniumhr.com/about-xenium/meet-the-team/brandon-laws]

Connect with Xenium HR: Website [https://xeniumhr.com/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/xenium-hr] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/XeniumHR] Twitter [https://twitter.com/XeniumHR] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/xeniumhr] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/user/XeniumHR

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