Blog

Hidden agendas in your executive team?

Hidden agendas in your executive team?

“There are hidden agendas in my team. Everyone seems friendly on the outside but there are unspoken issues under the surface,” a CEO recently shared with me.

“Can you help us deal with our hidden agendas so we can put our energy and ideas back into our real business?” he asked.

Hidden agendas cripple organization’s performance. They discourage people from being open and honest and no matter how clever you think you are; hidden agendas are felt and recognized by others outside the leadership team.

Leaders act surprised when confronted with hidden agendas, often with comments like, “Really, you think people notice it?” People outside the team can’t always describe exactly what it is, but they feel the non-productive energy and see the confusion and frustration that hidden agendas create.

Leadership teams are known for their work at the top of the iceberg, the material reality including target setting, strategy creation and process optimization and they must be ready to work on the under-the-water part of the iceberg, the non-material reality where lack of trust, respect, power, legacies, and misalignment of key players can foster hidden agendas.

When you are sitting in a meeting and feel the pull of a hidden agenda, you could ask, “What’s happening in our team right now, I feel we are taking about one thing but there seems to be something else in the room now, does anyone else feel this?”

It could very well be that others are tuned in to what you are feeling, and this could help you and the team get the unspoken, spoken and address the real issues.

Do not waste energy and time carrying hidden agendas in your executive team or anywhere in your organization.

How do you address and manage hidden agendas in your leadership team?

Image by iStock-637902194

Contact Information

Dan Norenberg
Wensauerplatz 11
81245 Munich
Phone: +49 172 862 5123
E-Mail: dn@dannorenberg.com

About Dan Norenberg

Dan Norenberg improves leadership performance and organization results through Executive Ownershift®, his transformational growth process for executive teams. As a trusted advisor, consultant and professional speaker, Dan’s mission is to enable executive teams and their organizations to play at their best.

Search