"They clearly want my job."

It is one of the most uncomfortable situations in leadership: A direct report who is talented but insubordinate, networking with your boss, and actively trying to bypass you.

Most leaders shrink back because they feel threatened. But the truth is, if they are walking all over you, it is because they tested your power and you failed the test.

In thisLive Q&A Session, we tackle the "sharp edges" of leadership—from handling political saboteurs to fixing a team that refuses to make decisions without you.

In this episode, you will learn:

-The "Usurper" Strategy:How to handle an employee who oversteps boundaries (hint: you have to challenge them back to earn their respect) .

-The Ownership Framework:How to stop your team from checking in with you for confirmation on everything.

-The "Microsoft" Story:A personal confession of how I was accidentally poisoning my own company culture by complaining about a vendor—and how I fixed it .

-Saying the Unsaid:Why you must confront false allegations and sabotage head-on, even if it feels "unprofessional" to bring it up .

💪 The Challenge for This Week:The "Victim" Audit.

-Reflect:Where is your team currently showing up as a victim?

-The Shift:Bring this up to your team. Communicate it, come up with a plan.

-The Agreement:Get a clear commitment from them on showing up in ownership, then hold them accountable.

Resources

-Join the Conversation: Join our Leadership Mindset 2.0 community on LinkedIn or Facebook

-Get Live Coaching: Move from listening to doing inside the Growth Leaders Collective. Start your $1 trial at RMichaelAnderson.com/GLC

Mentioned in this episode:

Now Open - the 2026 Mindset Accelerator

Special Announcement: Enrollment is open for the 2026 Leadership Mindset Accelerator. This is a live, 3-month program starting February 24th to help you move from "Doer" to "Strategic Leader." Here's the link:

2026 Mindset Accelerator