You Called It Leadership

You called it leadership when you embarrassed people in meetings. You said pressure made us better. You praised loyalty while expecting us to answer messages at midnight. You told me I was lucky to have the opportunity, as if gratitude should cancel exhaustion. I believed you for too long. I missed dinners. I worked through fevers. I apologized to you for mistakes caused by impossible deadlines. When I finally resigned, you said I lacked resilience. Leaving was the most resilient thing I did. I wish I had spoken up sooner, not only for myself but for the people who watched me accept behavior they were also afraid to challenge.

I am writing this from a quieter office. No one raises their voice. No one treats panic like productivity. The work still gets done. You were wrong about what people need in order to succeed.

Fear may create obedience. It does not create excellence.