Challenging the Myth of Senior Management: A Call for Authenticity in Business

In today’s corporate world, there seems to be a prevailing tendency to place senior executives on a pedestal, fostering an environment where their titles command unwarranted reverence. Is it just me, or do we often elevate those in upper management to an almost mythological status?

Take, for instance, the recent conversation I had regarding a prominent figure in my workplace—a senior leader whose status alone supposedly requires deference. When I learned that I was speaking to someone labeled as the CFO of the firm, I was met with a surprisingly pedestrian thought: “So what?”

This is not a dismissal of their role or the responsibilities they carry; rather, it’s an invitation to reconsider how we perceive leadership. Leadership should inspire respect based on merit and actions, not merely because of a title. Every senior manager is, at their core, just a person—an individual who has navigated the corporate ladder just like the rest of us, complete with their own challenges and pitfalls.

It’s interesting to observe how many colleagues react to higher-ups with a kind of reverence that borders on fear. The anticipation of encountering someone in a superior position often manifests as an awkward form of subservience. And while it’s crucial to engage meaningfully with clients and direct reports, whom we owe a sense of responsibility, we shouldn’t feel overwhelmed or intimidated by the presence of senior management.

Instead of capitulating to the pressure of hierarchy, we should foster a culture that emphasizes equality and open communication. Recognition and respect should come from what one brings to the table—be it innovation, support, or transformational leadership—rather than solely from a position of power.

In the end, let’s remember that every executive is just another person navigating the complexities of their role. Let’s focus on the value they add through their actions and leadership, rather than their title. It’s time to shift the narrative away from reverence solely based on seniority and towards a celebration of authenticity and genuine leadership.