Page 113 - Fearless Leadership

100 FEARLESS LEADERSHIP

Examples of Conspiring Against Others

1. Sabotaging a group or person by innuendo. Suggestive
comments cast doubt: “How can you possibly claim these
figures are accurate when your last report had major errors?”
Questioning someone’s honesty, integrity, or credibility is
enough to create reservations and misgivings in others.
2. Inferring a malicious intent. An aggressive and offensive
position is often used. For example, “You’re obviously trying to
make us look bad. So don’t try to pin this problem on us—
you missed the deadline.”
3. Spreading gossip and rumors. Making assumptions and
allowing them to run rampant launches the grapevine and
enlists others in the conspiracy. For example, “I heard that
the company is going to downsize by 30 percent. You better
start looking for another job.”
4. Silently agreeing. Silence is an action; it is the act of
withholding a stand or commitment. Every time you silently
agree with a point of view, you endorse it.
5. Sending a conspiratorial nonverbal message. Rolling your
eyes or exchanging a “knowing” glance with others implies
a secret or private communication that is perceived as
negative or dismissive.

6. Verbally attacking and piling on. Verbally tearing down a
person or idea starts with one person and builds as others
express similar comments. For example, “I agree with Todd.
You didn’t handle this situation well, and as Cheryl said,
you left us hanging out to dry.”
7. Rescuing. Co-conspirators form a closed ring and rescue,
protect, and save each other. For example, “You can stop
attacking Marcus. He did what he needed to do, which is
more than I can say for you.”