Sometimes when I’m talking with a leader of a firm, I just scratch my head. Not because I have a bad case of psoriasis, but because sometimes leaders can be so blind. They can’t see how they infuse their organizations with negativity.

They are oblivious to the impact their words and actions have on the people around them. Because of their position and stature, what they say and do are given so much more authority and intensity than what they intend.

They are the ones who undermine and sabotage their organizations. They are the ones who suck out the energy, motivation and positive attitude in their people. They are the ones inhibiting or stunting their firm’s success. How so?

When they criticize, others hear them CRITICIZE. When they complain, hear them COMPLAIN. When they become anxious, others see them as ANXIOUS.

Here’s the rub. It’s not just them. It’s you, too. You’re no different, although to hear you grumble, you’d think you are exempt. You do EXACTLY the same things you accuse other leaders doing. But you’re so intent on looking through the window at them, you forget to look in the mirror at yourself.

You have authority and stature. Maybe not as much, but they are present. If you are unaware of the impact of your words and actions on others, you’re no better. You can de-motivate people just as effectively as the other leaders you complain about.

Every time you see or hear someone in your firm behaving less than their best, use it as an opportunity to look in the mirror at yourself. You may not act exactly the same way, but you do the same thing in your own way.