GoKawiilThe best leadership approach takes into account an individual’s situation. Many leaders strive for “fairness.” The intent is good. They want to avoid bias, give people the opportunity to succeed, and support all their team members. However, too often in that pursuit, they are given the advice to “treat everyone the same”—no favorites. On the surface, this sounds nice. It sounds fair.
Treat everyone the same is terrible leadership advice
Why This Matters
This piece pushes back on a common management maxim, arguing that uniform treatment isn't the same as fairness. For tech leaders managing diverse teams, the distinction matters: equal treatment can ignore the different circumstances, needs, and growth stages of individual employees.
Key Takeaways
- "Treat everyone the same" is well-intentioned advice aimed at avoiding bias and favoritism.
- Uniform treatment is not equivalent to genuine fairness for team members.
- Effective leadership adapts to each individual's specific situation.
Worth a Look
The Coaching Habit" by Michael Bungay Stanier — This short, practical book is built around asking better questions instead of applying one-size-fits-all management, which is exactly the shift the article argues for. Its seven questions help leaders tailor support to each person's actual situation rather than defaulting to identical treatment.
See The Coaching Habit" by Michael Bungay Stanier on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Get alerts for these topics