Welcome back to the Look and Sound of Leadership, an ongoing series of

executive coaching tips designed to help you be perceived in the workplace

the way you want to be perceived.

I'm Tom Henschel, your executive coach, and today we're talking about fighting authority.

Christine called me to talk about Matthew.

Christine was a long time client of mine.

We'd enjoyed working together.

When we'd first met, the feedback about her was that she was very black and white and she understood the feedback.

She knew she placed a high value on order and no drama.

And she knew sometimes those values could make her rigid.

By the time the coaching ended, she had gained flexibility.

She had felt expanded.

And a couple years later, she'd left her old position.

She joined the leadership team at a smaller agency.

We talked maybe once a year.

She loved her new role, and her fellow leaders, all of whom happened to be male.

Matthew was one of her direct reports.

She told me, he's good, Tom.

Smart, fast, sharp instincts, but boy, is he impatient? He doesn't care about systems or

procedures or the mechanics we've put in place. He doesn't see why everything can't

get done right now. It's so naive for someone so smart. I asked how far along is this

guy? You mean how old? Early 30s? I asked is this the millennial stereotype you know I've been here six months where's

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