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#Society
HBR
HBR
3d ago 7 views

Managing in the Age of Outrage

Leaders face increasing anger from stakeholders, as seen in the Ottawa protests against Covid-19 mandates. This shift matters because it challenges traditional management responses and requires sensitivity.
Managing in the Age of Outrage
A What happened
As societal anger escalates, managers are increasingly confronted with the need to respond to outraged stakeholders. The Freedom Convoy protests in Ottawa in early 2022 serve as a prominent example, where government officials faced significant backlash over Covid-19 vaccination mandates. Concurrently, organizations like GoFundMe and TD Bank faced pressure to withdraw financial support for the protesters, illustrating the complex dynamics at play. This environment compels leaders to develop strategies that address not only the immediate concerns of their stakeholders but also the underlying emotions driving these reactions. As a result, even smaller organizations must be prepared for unexpected challenges arising from employee and public outrage, highlighting the necessity for sensitivity and adaptability in management practices.

Key insights

  • 1

    Rising Stakeholder Anger

    Stakeholders are increasingly vocal about their discontent, impacting organizational dynamics.

  • 2

    Need for Sensitivity

    Managers must cultivate sensitivity to navigate complex emotional landscapes.

  • 3

    Impact on Leadership

    Traditional management approaches may no longer suffice in the current climate.

Takeaways

The rise of societal outrage necessitates a shift in management practices, emphasizing the importance of emotional intelligence and responsiveness to stakeholder concerns.

Read the full article on HBR