GoKawiilLeadership experts warn against 'treat everyone the same' management approach
A leadership commentary argues that the popular advice to treat all team members identically is misguided, even though it stems from good intentions around avoiding bias and favoritism. Instead, it suggests leaders should adapt their approach based on each person's unique circumstances, skills, and needs.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
This challenges a widely accepted management principle that many organizations use as a fairness benchmark, potentially prompting leaders to reconsider one-size-fits-all policies. The distinction between equality and equity in leadership has real consequences for employee engagement, retention, and team performance.
- Uniform treatment of all employees is presented as ineffective leadership despite good intentions
- Effective leadership requires considering individual circumstances rather than blanket policies
- The equality versus equity distinction has practical implications for team management
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.Source: fastcompany.com, 2026-09-14
Published there as: “Treat everyone the same is terrible leadership advice”
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