Leaders Beware
For true professionals, certain principles are non-negotiable: respect, integrity, and the fulfillment of obligations. These values form the foundation of trust in any working relationship. Exploiting talent by ignoring these principles creates enemies, not allies. Those mistreated today will walk away tomorrow, taking their experience, expertise, insights, and networks with them. Treat people well—whether they are superstars or not—because real experts are not easy to find replacements for, especially in a time when proven mastery is harder to come by. Leaders who forget these fundamentals do so at their own peril.